Printing machine, modus operandi of said printing machine and printed products

ABSTRACT

A printing machine has at least one printing tower that is formed having two stacked satellite printing units. At least one further printing unit is situated on a plane that is above the printing location of the upper satellite printing unit of the at least one printing tower. The printing machine is operable in a mode of operation to produce a printed product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is the U.S. national phase, under 35 U.S.C. 371,of PCT/EP2004/050022, filed Jan. 16, 2004; published as WO 2004/067275A1 on Aug. 12, 2004, and claiming priority to DE 103 03 841.8 filed Jan.30, 2003; to DE 103 06 505.9, filed Feb. 17, 2003; and to DE 103 21989.7, filed May 15, 2003, the disclosures of which are expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a printing press, to an operatingmethod of the printing press and to printed products. The printing presshas at least one print tower that includes two stacked satellite printunits and at least one additional printing press above the print levelof the upper satellite unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In “Der Rollenoffsetdruck” by W. Walenski, Fachschriftenverlag GmbH &Co. KG, 1995, varied configurations are disclosed, on pages 96 and 97thereof, for offset towers and web paths in offset printing, e.g. twostacked nine-cylinder satellite offset towers.

“Offsetdrucktechnik” by H. Teschner, Fachschriftenverlag GmbH & Co. KG,1995, discloses, on page 10/32 in FIG. 6, a nine-cylinder satelliteoffset tower, on which is arranged a three-cylinder Colordeck unit foraccomplishing 4/1 printing.

DE 25 28 008 A1 shows a printing press for a direct printing methodusing forme cylinders that can be assembled axially with six printingplates, and around the circumference with two printing plates and usingimpression cylinders that can be covered axially with three blankets andaround the circumference with one. The printing plates, which arearranged close to each other and the blankets which are arranged closeto each other, are, in each case, arranged offset with respect to eachother around the circumference of the respective cylinders.

DE 25 10 057 A1 discloses a printing press with a direct printingmethod. The forme cylinder, which is interacting with an impressioncylinder, carries over its width six printing plates and carries, aroundits circumference, two printing plates.

Through JP 56-021860 there is known an offset tower with forme, transferand impression cylinders. Each of the three cylinders is driven by itsown drive motor.

Through DE 41 28 797 A1 there is known a triple width web-fed rotarypress with two formers. These are arranged on two different levels, oneabove the other.

From “Newspapers & Technology”, December 2000, there is known a printingpress with offset towers having the width of six newspaper pages. Theoffset towers are formed as bridge offset towers, the transfer cylindersof these offset towers being clad with blankets.

WO 01/70608 A1 discloses a turner bar arrangement. Two essentiallypartial web-width turner bars are each movably arranged on a mounttransversely to the incoming partial web. In each case, at the side, andat the outside, the side frame is arranged a table roll, thelongitudinal axis of which runs essentially parallel to the side frameand which also can be moved along a rail in a direction crosswise to theincoming partial web.

From U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,501 A there is known a fold assembly twoformers are arranged, one above the other, whereby the webs, afterpassing through rise rollers, are cut longitudinally before a thirdformer. The partial webs are turned through 90° via a third former andare then gathered together in two ribbons and are fed to the two formersarranged one above the other.

Through EP 1 072 551 A2 there is known a fold assembly with two groupsof formers which are vertically offset against each other. Above eachgroup of formers is a harp, such as a group of collecting, take-off oreven harp rollers, and via which the partial webs are fed to theassigned group of formers.

In WO 97/17200 A2 there is known a fold assembly, in which trimmedpartial webs offset crosswise to each other are fed to differentformers. The formers are arranged horizontally close to each other andare, in part, vertically offset with respect to each other.

DE 44 19 217 A1 shows a superstructure of a web-fed rotary printingpress with a turn unit. Partial webs are offset by half a partial webwidth in order to run them one above the other and to feed them to acommon former.

EP 0 638 419 A1 discloses printing towers adjoining each other, eachcomprising two stacked satellite printing units.

Printing towers consisting of a three-or a six-cylinder printing unitstacked on a satellite printing unit are disclosed in Finkbeiner, G.“Investment Decisions in Connection with Newspaper Publishing ShouldAlways be Based on the Planned Workload” in Deutscher Drucker, No. 36/Sep. 30, 1993, pages W35 to W37, XP 000398176.

DE 24 22 696 C2 shows a six plate wide satellite printing unit withoffset printing groups having nine or ten cylinders. The two centerprinting formes of six plates, which are arranged side-by-side in theaxial direction, are arranged offset in the circumferential direction onthe forme cylinder in relation to the ones on the outside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to providing a printing press, anoperating method for the printing press and a printed product.

The problem is solved according to the invention by the provision of aprinting machine with at least two stacked satellite print units whichare stacked above each other. The printing machine has at least oneadditional printing press arranged in a plane above the print positionof the upper satellite unit. Printed webs from the satellite units canthen be printed by the at least one further printing press.

The benefits achievable with the present invention consist, inparticular, in that a simple, inexpensive and space-saving configurationis enabled with, at the same time, great variability in the productand/or intermediate product.

There are also, in particular, advantages in that reliability ofproduction is considerably increased compared with a double-widthprinting press with the same desired thickness to be achieved of aproduct. By retaining the number of offset towers, however, the outputof the printing press and of each offset tower can be increased by 50%.

The number of roll changers, and their required cost investment, thefrequency of reel change, which effects the reliability of production,and the set-up time when webbing up, or the cycle times, can be reducedcompared with a double-width printing press for the same productthickness.

In an advantageous performance of the present invention, the offsettowers are executed as nine-cylinder satellite offset towers, whichresults firstly in great precision in the ink register and secondly in alow-vibration configuration. Vibrations are also reduced by theadvantageous arrangement, execution and attachment of coverings on thecylinders. For one thing, circumferential openings in the jacket surfaceare minimized. Furthermore, at least on the transfer cylinder, theseopenings can be arranged offset alternately around the circumference sothat, at least for one section length, a closed jacket surface is alwaysinteracting with the forme or satellite cylinder. Thirdly, circularityerrors and production costs are minimized in that although axialthrough-channels are provided for the barrel over its whole effectivelength, there are openings through to the jacket surface only in theappropriate sections. Then devices for, for example, fastening coveringends and/or linings are optionally inserted.

In each case, at least six devices for use in the axial positioning ofprinting formes are arranged in the channels of the forme cylinders.These are, for example, executed as register pins acting togetherpositively with printing form ends, with the pins being able to be movedwithin the channel either manually or by remote control.

An advantage, with respect to the fitting of forme cylinders withprinting formes that can be reproduced precisely in register, is theversion of offset towers with assigned pressing devices. With thesedevices, blankets on the jacket surface of the cylinder can be fixed, asneeded, by at least one pressing element, while an end of a blanket orof several blankets is released for removal or for fitting.

The drive, independent mechanically of the cylinder pairs, of thesatellite cylinder or cylinders involves, in particular, advantages withrespect of the possibility of variable operation. Thus, for example, aset-up, such as an on-the-fly change of a printing forme or a wash-up,can take place during production. Conversely, a web can be drawn in,while other cylinders or while cylinder pairs are stopped or a set-upprogram is running. It is also an advantage, when there are blanketswith positive or negative conveying properties, to operate the satellitecylinder at a surface speed different from the other cylinders.

In an advantageous version of the invention, a superstructure of theprinting press has at least one slitting device with at least fiveknives spaced crosswise to the paper flow direction. In an advantageousversion, there are for each print tower, or for every eight printingpoints, two register devices movable transversely to the paper flowdirection to compensate for runs of the partial webs. These can, in afurther development, each be structurally combined with a partialweb-wide turning device. Also, subsequent guide elements can be assignedmerely to partial webs and are essentially configured merely to thewidth of the partial web. These versions allow a low-vibration, andhence again a precise transport of the web. Fluctuations in web tensioncaused by inertia of long, thick guide elements and driven only on thepartial web or webs, in the case of, for example changes of load, orchange of printing speed can be effectively reduced.

With regard to reliable operation and to cost-saving design, it is alsoan advantage to provide in the superstructure the possibility of turninga partial web through an uneven multiple of a half partial web. Thisdispenses with the need for drawing in and for printing partial webs,such as a newspaper page, with a half former width.

With respect to costs and to space-saving design it is an advantage ofthe present invention, in one version, to assign a so-called harp, withseveral normally undriven rise rollers, only to one of two superimposedformers. Webs can be transferred from the harp to the other former.Ribbons of variable thickness or of number of partial webs can be fed tothe formers arranged vertically above each other from the same line ofpartial webs lying above each other.

In one version, partial webs can be admitted from a harp assigned to onegroup of formers to another former group and vice versa. In anadvantageous version, one so-called harp, with several undriven riserollers, also called collecting or take-off rollers in line, is to beassigned to only one of two superimposed formers. Webs can then betransferred from the common harp to the other former. Ribbons ofvariable thickness or of variable numbers of partial webs can be fed tothe formers which are arranged vertically above each other from the sameline of partial webs lying above each other.

In an advantageous version of a turn unit in accordance with the presentinvention, the partial web can be or is moved merely through an unevenmultiple of a half partial web width. It can thus be avoided, with verylittle expense, having to print very narrow webs or to provideadditional offset towers. The version, which is movable crosswise to theweb, of at least one of the turner bars makes for great variability.

The drive of rollers of the former superstructure and/or of the folder,independent mechanically of the offset towers, is advantageous, inparticular, with regard to good registration and variable operation.

With the six cylinder tower and with the web paths, there areadvantages, in particular, in that a great variety of products can beachieved and a flexible and exact drive is possible in conjunction withthe various drive situations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred examples of the present invention are shown in the drawingsand are described in more detail in the following.

The following Figures show:

FIG. 1 a side view of a web-fed rotary printing press;

FIG. 2 a diagrammatic end view of an offset tower;

FIG. 3 a diagrammatic top view of an offset tower;

FIG. 4 an exploded view of a covering;

FIG. 5 a forme cylinder in; a: exploded view, b: in longitudinalsection, c: with a support element, d: with a support element withregister device;

FIG. 6 a transfer cylinder; in a: exploded view, b: in longitudinalsection, c: with a support element, d: with a filling piece;

FIG. 7 a device for pressing a covering onto a cylinder;

FIG. 8 a first preferred embodiment for the drive of a nine-cylindersatellite offset tower;

FIG. 9 a second preferred embodiment for the drive of a nine-cylindersatellite offset tower;

FIG. 10 a third preferred embodiment for the drive of a nine-cylindersatellite offset tower;

FIG. 11 a form of execution of the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG.8;

FIG. 12 a general schematic arrangement of a superstructure, in aperspective view;

FIG. 13 a first preferred embodiment of a register device in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 14 a second preferred embodiment of a register device;

FIG. 15 a depiction for a web turn;

FIG. 16 a front view of a harp with turned web as shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 a folder assembly of a web-fed rotary printing press;

FIG. 18 a side elevation view of the folder assembly of FIG. 17, withweb path;

FIG. 19 a front view of the folder assembly with web path;

FIG. 20 a schematic side elevation view of the folder;

FIG. 21 a first web path/a first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 22 a second web path/a second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 23 a third web path/a third preferred embodiment;

FIG. 24 a fourth web path/a fourth preferred embodiment;

FIG. 25 a fifth web path/a fifth preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 26 a diagrammatic side view of a second execution of the folder.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A web-fed rotary printing press, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1,has a left-hand section and a right-hand section each with at least twoprinting towers 01. The printing towers 01 each have printing units 02,which, for example, are made at least with a threefold width, i.e. forprinting at a time six newspaper pages which are arranged axiallyalongside each other. The printing units 02 are configured as satelliteprinting units 02. The advantageous execution of the printing units 02as nine-cylinder satellite printing units 02 guarantees very goodregistration and low fan-out. The printing units 02, however, can alsobe made as ten-cylinder satellite printing units 02 or possibly also asprinting units that can be operated in blanket-to-blanket printing,like, for example, several bridge printing units or an H-printing unit02. Webs 03 are fed to the printing units 02 from reels that are notshown, in particular using splicers.

Downstream from a web 03 passing through the printing towers 01 orprinting units 02, are depicted in FIG. 1 as being situated above theprinting towers 01, a superstructure 04 is provided for each section, inwhich the web 03 or webs 03 can be cut at slitters, partial webs can bepossibly transferred and/or converged by turning devices 07, can bealigned with each other and can be run one above the other by use meansof register units 08 in the longitudinal register 08, which is indicatedschematically in FIG. 1. Downstream, in the direction of web travel, thesuperstructure 04 has at least one so-called harp 09 with a number ofharp or rise rollers arranged one above the other and carrying the webs03 or partial webs 03 a, 03 b, 03 c. The harp 09 determines the formerinfeed of the webs being run one above the other. Via this harp 09, thewebs 03 undergo a change of direction and are then gathered togethereither as a single ribbon or as several ribbons and are fed to at leastone folder assembly 11.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, two folder assemblies 11 arearranged between the printing press sections, which folder assemblies 11have formers arranged, in each case, on two different levels one abovethe other. The printing press, however, can also have merely one jointfolder assembly 11 arranged between the sections, or can merely have onesection and an assigned folder assembly 11. Also, the respective folderassembly 11 can be executed with only one level of formers. One or morefolders 12 are assigned to each folder assembly 11.

The printing unit 02 has several, and in the depicted configuration hasfour, printing groups 13, as seem in FIG. 2 and by use of which ink canbe applied to the web 03 from an inking system 14 via at least onecylinder 16 executed as forme cylinder 16. In this execution of theprinting unit 02 as a satellite printing unit 02, the printing group 13is executed as an offset tower 13 for wet offset and has, in addition tothe inking system 14, a dampening system 20 and another cylinder 17executed as transfer cylinder 17. The transfer cylinder 17 forms, incooperation with a further printing cylinder 18 forming an abutment, aprinting point. In the example in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the printingcylinder 18 is executed as a satellite cylinder 18, which, incooperation with further transfer cylinders 17 of further printinggroups 13, forms further printing points in a Print On position. Theprinting cylinder 18 could also be executed as a second transfercylinder 18 when making the printing groups a double printing group inblanket-to-blanket printing. The same parts are given the same referencenumbers unless otherwise necessary for distinguishing. There may be adifference in position, which is normally disregarded when assigningthese same reference numbers.

The inking system 14 has, in an advantageous execution, an ink fountain15 extending over a length of six printed pages. In another version ofthe invention, three ink fountains are arranged axially alongside eachother, each being about two printed pages wide. The dampening system 20is, in an advantageous version, executed as a four-roller spraymoistening system 20.

The forme cylinder 16 has, in a first execution, a circumference ofbetween 850 and 1000 mm, and in particular from 900 to 940 mm. Thecircumference is configured and sized to take two portrait printedpages, such as newspaper pages in broadsheet format, using two coverings19, such as flexible printing formes 19, that can be fixed, one afterthe other, circumferentially on the forme cylinder 16. The printingformes 19 can be mounted circumferentially on the forme cylinder 16 andin the execution of the invention shown in FIG. 3, each printing forme19 can be individually replaced with a single printing plate with aprinted page axially.

The length L16 of the usable barrel of the forme cylinder 16 is, in thefirst version 1850 to 2400 mm, and, in particular, is between 1900 to2300 mm, and is dimensioned to take at least six portrait printed pagesarranged alongside each other, in particular newspaper pages inbroadsheet format. In this regard, see FIG. 3, sections A to F. Itdepends, among other things, on the nature of the product to be producedwhether only one printed page or several printed pages are arrangedaxially alongside each other on a printing forme 19. In an advantageouswider variant, the length L16 of the usable barrel is between 2000 and2400 mm.

In a second version of the invention, the forme cylinder 16 has acircumference between 980 and 1300 mm, and in particular from 1000 to1200 mm. The length L16 of the usable barrel is from 1950 to 2400 mm,and in particular is from 2000 to 2400 mm. The configuration is the sameas in the above-mentioned version.

The transfer cylinder 17 has, in the first version, a circumferencebetween 850 and 1000 mm, and in particular from 900 to 940 mm. Thelength L17 of the usable barrel of the transfer cylinder 17 is in thefirst version 1850 to 2400 mm, and in particular is 1900 to 2300 mm, andhas positioned longitudinally alongside each other three dressings orcoverings 21, such as blankets 21, indicated at sections AB to EF. Thesedressings 21 extend circumferentially essentially around the wholecircumference of the transfer or blanket cylinder 17. The blankets 21,for the purpose of favorably influencing the vibration behaviour of theprinting group 13 in operation, are arranged alternating offset to eachother, for example, by 180°, as seen in FIG. 3. In the wider variant ofthe first version, the length L17 of the usable barrel is similarlybetween 2000 and 2400 mm.

In a second version of the printing group 13, the transfer cylinder 17has a circumference of between 980 and 1300 mm, and in particular from1000 to 1200 mm. The length L17 of the usable barrel is here 1950 to2400 mm, and in particular 2000 to 2400 mm. The arrangement of coverings21 is the same as in the first version.

Diameters of barrels of cylinders 16, 17 in the first above-mentionedversion are, for example from 270 to 320 mm, and in particular are fromabout 285 to 300 mm. In the second above-mentioned version, the diameterof barrels of cylinders 16, 17 is from about 310 to 410 mm, and inparticular is from 320 to about 380 mm. A ratio of the usable length ofthe barrel of cylinders 16, 17 to their diameter should be from 5.8 to8.8, preferably from 6.3 to 8.0, and in the wide version in particularfrom 6.5 to 8.0.

Length L16, L17 of the usable barrel is to be understood as the axialwidth or length of the barrel, which is suitable for receiving dressingsor coverings 19, 21. This is the same roughly also of a maximum possibleweb width of a web 03 to be printed. In addition to such an overalllength of the barrel of cylinders 16, 17, there should be added to thislength L16, L17 of the usable barrel also the width of any bearers, ofany keyways and/or of any jacket surface areas, which, for example, haveto be accessible for the operation of suitable tensioning or clampingdevices.

In an advantageous version of the present invention, the satellitecylinder 18 similarly has essentially the same dimensions and ratios ofat least the assigned transfer cylinder 17.

Dressings or 19, 21 are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4 and aretypically executed as flexible plates, whereby the dressing which isexecuted as blanket 21 is executed as a so-called metal blanket with anelastic and/or compressible layer 22, depicted by a line of dashes,arranged on a bearer plate. In FIG. 4 the references concerning only themetal blanket 21 are shown with dashed lines. A plate-shaped printingforme 19 or a bearer plate 23 for a blanket consists normally of aflexible, but otherwise dimensionally stable material, such as, forexample, an aluminium alloy, and has two opposite ends 24, 26 to befastened in or on the cylinder 16, 17 and with a material thickness MSof, for example from 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm, and preferably of 0.3 mm, theseends being folded to be formed as angled ends 24, 26 each locatedadjacent a bending line in relation to the extended length l of thecovering 19, 21 by an angle α, β between 40° and 140°, preferably 45°,90° or 135°, as seen in FIG. 4. A leading angled plate securement end24, is for example, folded at an acute angle α of 40° to 50°, and inparticular of 45°, and a trailing end 26 is folded at an angle β of 80°to 100°, and in particular 90°. If only a single cover 21 is applied tothe circumference of the cylinder 16, 17, in particular to thecircumference of the transfer cylinder 17, the length l of the cover 21is almost the same as the circumference of this cylinder 17.

Basically, the folded or angled securement ends 24, 26 of the covers 19,21 can each now be inserted into a slotted opening extending parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the cylinder 16, 17, the ends being held bytheir shaping, friction or deformation. However, they can also be fixedby spring force, by pressure or by a centrifugal force of something thatcan be actuated and which is effective during operation. The slottedopenings for printing plates 19 on the forme cylinder 16 arrangedaxially alongside each other are, in an advantageous version, eacharranged in a row, such as in a continuous slotted opening, as describedbelow, while the openings for the dressings or blankets 21 arrangedalongside each other on the transfer cylinder are not continuous, butare offset with respect to each other alternating by 180°circumferentially.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show, in exploded view, an example of an advantageousembodiment of the forme cylinder 16. In forme cylinder 16 there areprovided two channels 27, the two channels 27 each extending axiallythrough the length of cylinder 16 at least through the entire length ofthe six sections A to F in the barrel, as seen in FIG. 5 b. They arearranged offset with respect to each other, by, for example, 180°,around the circumference of the cylinder 16. The channels 27 areexecuted beneath a jacket surface 30 inside the cylinder 16, as, forexample circular holes, and each have a narrow slotted opening 28 to thejacket surface 30 of the cylinder 16 at least over the length of the sixsections A to F as seen in FIG. 5 a. A slot width s16 of opening 28 orthe forme cylinder 16 is less than 5 mm circumferentially and ispreferably in the range 1 mm to 4 mm. as seen in FIG. 5 c.

The folded ends 24, 26 of printing forme 19 can now each be inserted inone of the openings 28 parallel to the axis longitudinally around thecircumference and can be fixed, at least the trailing end 26, by aretainer device 29, 31 which is arranged in the channel 27.

The retainer device 29, 31 has, as seen in FIG. 5 c, at least oneclamping piece 29 and a spring element 31. The trailing end 26, which isfolded at a right angle, not shown here, but seen in FIG. 4, comes torest preferably on a side of the opening 28 of essentially complementaryshape and is pressed down there by a clamping piece 29 by a springelement 31 acting on the clamping piece 29. The leading end 24 of theclamping plate, which is folded at an acute angle, and shown in FIG. 4comes to rest preferably against a side of opening 28 of essentiallycomplementary shape for the fold, which, with jacket surface 30, formsan insertion edge or nose at an acute angle α′ of 40° to 50°, inparticular 45°. There is an actuator 32 in the channel 27 for looseningthe clamping of the trailing end 26, which, on activation, counters theforce exerted by the spring element 31 on the clamping piece 29 andswivels the clamping piece 29 away from the side or the end 26.

In an advantageous embodiment, there is not only one clamping piece 29in each channel 27, but several clamping pieces 29, provided in thenature of segments, each with at least one spring element 31, which arearranged axially alongside each other over the length of sections A toF, which, in FIG. 5 a are shown “drawn out” of the cylinder 16. In thepractical example for each section A through F there are several, suchas six, such clamping pieces 29 arranged, as shown in FIG. 5 c, wherebya register block 35 with a register element 33, shown in FIG. 5 d, islocated centrally between the clamping elements 29 of each of thesections A through F, in this case between the third and fourth clampingelement 29 of each of the section A thro F. The register block 35 orregister pin 35 is manually moveable and is adjustable within anarrangement such as a groove in a base 34. In a further development,which is not shown, the register block 35 can also be moved axially in aspace of channel 27, which remains free, or in the activation directionof the register element 33, for instance with a motorised threadedspindle.

The actuating mechanism 32 is implemented in the arrangement shown, suchthat when actuating the clamping element, or elements 29, 31, all theclamping elements 29 over the length of sections A through F aresimultaneously closed or released. The actuating mechanism 32 is shown“extracted” from cylinder 16 as shown in FIG. 5 a for at least thelength of sections A through F axially along channel 27 and with theprovision of a reversibly deformable hollow body 32, such as hose 32 foruse in conjunction with a pressure device. This hose 32 is arranged asshown in FIG. 5 c together with clamping pieces 29 of that type, whichoperate together in channel 27, so that, when actuated, hose 32 actsagainst the fail-safe force of spring elements 31 which hold theretaining elements in the closed position. It runs through the region ofthe register elements 33, as seen in FIG. 5 d.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show an isometric view of an example of anadvantageous arrangement of the transfer or blanket cylinder 17. Twochannels 36 and 37 are provided within the cylinder 17, and bothchannels 36 and 37 run through the axial length of cylinder 17, at leastover the entire length of the six sections A through F, the threesections AB; CD; EF in the assembly, as seen in FIG. 6 b. They arespaced around the circumference of cylinder 17 for example by 180° fromeach other.

Channels 36 and 37 are typically two circular drilled holes, both lyingunderneath the outer circumference 40 and within cylinder 17, therebeing in total typically three, such channels in each case runningaxially, for at least the length of section AB; CD; EF. Sufficientlynarrow slotted openings 38; 39; 41 provide an opening to the outercircumference 40 of cylinder 17, as seen in FIG. 6 a. Two of the threeopenings 38; 39 connect to the same channel 36 and are axially in linewith each other, but axially apart from each other on the outercircumference 40. Axially between the two spaced openings 38; 39 thereexists a continuous surface of the outer circumference 40, in particularthe unmachined section U in which there is no opening. The two openings38; 39 that are in line with each other, are both, for instance, incommunication with the same channel 36 and are preferably the openings38; 39 near to the end faces of the cylinder. The third opening 41extends axially only to the extent of the center section CD and isdisplaced at 180° relative to the other openings 38; 39. The slot widths17 of the uncovered openings 38; 39; 41 on the transfer cylinder 17, inthe direction of the outer circumference, is always less than 5 mm wide,and preferably should lie in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, as seen in FIG.6 c. For manufacturing reasons, one or both of the ends of the slots 38;39; 41 typically are arranged as radial run-outs to the drilled holes42; which slots, under operating conditions for cylinder 17, can be orare sealed with a plug, which is not shown in FIG. 6 b. The plug, whenfitted, will exhibit an outer face that forms a continuation of theotherwise cylindrical outer contour of the cylinder 17 in the region ofthe drilled hole 42. In an advantageous arrangement, a vertical cut inthe circumference of cylinder 17 is made perpendicular to the axis ofrotation axis and is made at just one of the openings 38; 39; 41 or atone of the openings 38; 39; 41 that has been terminated with a plug.This cut should not be considered as overlapping the openings 38; 39; 41or the openings 38; 39; 41 where they are terminated with a plug.

The bevelled ends 24; 26 of the rubber blanket 21 can now each be tuckedinto one of the openings 38; 39; 41 in the circumference parallel to theaxis, and can each be secured, at least at the trailing end 26 at leastby one of the clamping pieces 43; 44 arranged in each of channels 36;37. It is advantageous that both ends 24; 26 of the same rubber blanket21 are fed through the same opening 38; 39; 41 in the same channel 36;37.

The retaining devices 43; 44 each here include at least one clampingpiece 43; 44 and a spring element 44, shown in FIG. 6 c. The squarebevelled trailing locating arm 26, as shown in FIG. 4, is mountedadvantageously on one of the bevels essentially forming a complementaryside wall to openings 38; 39; 41 and is held in place there by clampingpiece 43 due to the force exerted by spring element 44 on clamping piece43. The acute-angled bevelled leading locating arm 24, shown in FIG. 4,is fitted advantageously on one of the bevels essentially forming acomplementary side wall to openings 38; 39; 41, which, with the outercircumference 40, forms an attachment edge or nose with an acute angleα′ of 40° to 50°; and in particular of 45° to the assembly. To releasethe clamp of the trailing end 26, at least one actuating mechanism 46;47; 48 is provided in channel 36; 37, which actuating mechanism, whenactivated, acts against the force exerted by spring element 44 on theclamping piece 43 in the opposite direction, and the clamping piece 43is then swung away from the line of the wall. In an advantageousarrangement of this type, at least one actuating mechanism 46; 47; 48 isprovided for each of the three openings 38; 39; 41 in each of theassociated channels 36; 37. In FIG. 6 a this is shown “extracted” fromthe cylinder 17.

In an advantageous arrangement, in each channel 36; 37 there is not onlya single clamping piece 43 but instead there are several clamping pieces43 situated axially alongside each other along the length of sectionsAB; CD; EF and which can be arranged as individual segments each with atleast one spring element 44 which, in FIG. 6 a are shown “extracted”from the cylinder 17. In the arrangement example, in each section AB;CD; EF and in each opening 38; 39; 41 there are several, for exampleten, of this type of clamping piece 43 as shown in FIG. 6 c. In sectionsAB; CD; EF of each channel 36; 37 which have no opening to the outerface of the outer circumference 40, instead of the retaining device 43,44 or the retaining devices 43, 44 there is at least one filler element49, shown in FIG. 6 d, in channel 36; 37. In the depicted example, thereare several, such as eleven, of there filler elements 49 as individualsegments in the respective places on sections AB; CD; EF of channels 36;37 with no opening to the outer face of the outer circumference 40. Afiller element 49, as seen in FIG. 6 d, can also be arranged centrallybetween the retaining devices 43, 44 of each section AB; CD; EF, forexample in the area between sections A and B, and E and F, here betweenthe fifth and sixth clamping element 43. The filler element 49 exhibitsessentially a cross-section that mimics the cross-section of the channel36; 37 and at least one through opening 51 in the axial sense, throughwhich the activating medium for the actuating mechanism 46; 47; 48 canpass.

The actuating mechanism 46; 47; 48 in the arrangement shown in Figs. BCand BD is arranged so that the activation of the retaining device 43, 44for a section AB; CD; EF causes all the clamping pieces 43 of a sectionAB; CD; EF to be closed or to be released simultaneously. The actuatingmechanism 46; 47; 48 is, as shown in FIG. 6 a, “extracted” from thecylinder 17. In channel 36 provided with two openings 38; 39, anactuating mechanism 46; 47 extends from each end face over at least therespective length of the section AB; EF. The actuating mechanism 48 forthe center opening 41 extends also for at least the respective length ofthe section CD. It can extend however also on at least one side up tothe end face of cylinder 17, if this is advantageous for feeding theactivating media, as seen in FIG. 6 a. The actuating mechanisms 46; 47;48 run, in each case, axially in channel 36; 37 and can be activatedwith compressed media within reversibly deformable hollow bodies 46; 47;48, such as a hose 46; 47; 48. This hose 46; 47; 48 is arranged, asshown in FIG. 6 c, with the clamping piece 43 of that type operatingtogether in channel 36; 37, which hose, when activated, acts against theforce exerted by spring element 44 on the clamping piece 43 in theopposite direction. This is fed through the area of suitable fillerelements 49 and through the opening 51, as seen in FIG. 6 d.

In a different version, the channels 36; 37 also need not each extendover the entire length. So, for example in the region of the sectionsAB; CD; EF, each channel 36; 37 can, as required, be provided with arespective retaining device, so that channel 37 with the centre blanket21 is displaced by 180° compared to the two outer ones. This is shown inan outline schematic fashion in FIG. 6 e.

In an arrangement that is particularly advantageous for printing usingan offset tower 02 and using cylinders 16; 17 of six page widths wide,at least two cylinders 16; 17, and in particular two forme cylinders 16,in at least one print tower 01 there is arranged a device 52 for pullinga proof from a blanket 19; 21 on a cylinder 16; 17, in particular aprint former on the form cylinder 16 which will be referred to in thefollowing as a proof-pulling device 52. This is advantageous, forinstance, if, in two corresponding printing machines 13, a quick, or aflying plate change is to be performed. In particular, it isadvantageous for a quick, reliable and precise change of product if oneof these types of proof-pulling device 52 is provided for all the formecylinders 16 of a print tower 01. A corresponding proof-pulling device52 exhibits one or more proof-pulling elements 53; 54, such as bars,push rods or roller elements 53; 54, which can be optionally attached toone or more of the blankets 19; 21. This allows a controlled and smoothtake-up tensioning and or release or removal of the blanket 19; 21. Italso enables the insertion of an end 24; 26 of the blanket 19; 21 intothe respective channel 27; 36; 37 and the opening 28; 38; 39; 41, orthat the partially released blanket 19; 21 can be held down in thedesired position. The proof-pulling device 52 extends lengthwise alongthe cylinder 16; 17 at least in the same region as sections A through F,for example in the range of the assembly effective for printing.

The configuration of the proof-pulling device 52, described inconnection with FIG. 7, is particularly advantageous also in connectionwith the common actuating mechanism 32 arrangement extending over allsection A thro F. In this configuration, a single or a group loading,changing and/or removal of printing formers 19 can be performed, evenfor six formers alongside each other on a forme cylinder 16, withoutrequiring a lot of work for the actuator devices or for operatingmaterial feed within the form cylinder 16. Production, installation andmaintenance are all significantly simplified by this.

The proof-pulling device 52 exhibits, for each section A through F, forup to six adjoining blankets 21 or for sections AB; CD; EF, for up tothree adjoining blankets 21, at least a first proof-pulling element 53,such as a roller element 53. In an advantageous arrangement, as shown inFIG. 7, it exhibits, for each section A through F, or for sections AB;CD; EF, a second proof-pulling element 54, which is spacedcircumferentially around the cylinder 16; 17 apart from this firstroller element 53. In FIG. 7 for the case of the forme cylinder 16, onlythe center sections B, C, and D and the roller elements 53; 54associated with these centre sections B, C, and D are shown. For eachsection A through F and for AB through EF, there are arranged a firstroller element 53 or a group of roller elements 53 arranged alongsideeach other, in the axial sense, and also a second roller element 54 or agroup of second roller elements 54 arranged alongside each other, in theaxial sense. In the example for each section A through F and for ABthrough EF, there are shown a first roller element 53 and a group ofthree second roller elements 54. Advantageously, in view of the risk ofpossible tipping and thus of an incorrect axial alignment, thearrangement of groups should be such that there are at least two rollerelements 53; 54 which can be moved independently of each other. A singleroller element 53; 54 for a section A through F or for AB through EF is,for example, positioned in the longitudinal sense, extending almost tothe length of the roller 53; 54 for the section A through F or ABthrough EF; a roller element 53; 54 of a group, in contrast, extendsmerely, at the most, of the fraction of the length of the roller 53; 54for the section A through F or AB through EF.

The roller elements 53; 54 are arranged axially alongside each other,and the roller elements 53; 54, if provided, lie behind them, in acircumferential sense. These roller elements can always be movedindependently of each other on, for instance, a traverse 56, or onseveral traverses 56. The single first roller element 53 or a group offirst roller elements 53 of each one of section A through F or ABthrough EF, and also, where provided, the single second roller element54 or a group of second roller elements 54 of each one of section Athrough F or AB through EF, can be activated independently of each otherby use of their own actuating mechanism 57; 58. These actuatingmechanisms 57; 58 function through the use of a reversibly deformablehollow body 57; 58 pressure device, such as a hose 32. However, othertypes of actuating mechanisms that are electrically or magneticallyactuated can also be used.

For use in clamping a blanket 16; 17 into a section A through F or ABthrough EF, the leading acute angle bevelled end 24 of the blanket 16;17 is fed into the opening 28; 38; 39; 41. The first roller element 53for this section A through F or AB through EF, and, if provided, thesecond roller element 54 for this section A through F or AB through EFis placed on the cylinder 16; 17, or on the previously tensioned andlocated blanket 19; 21. If one or more further blankets 19; 21 arealready mounted on the cylinder 16; 17, and it is desired to keep themthere, than the first and/or second roller elements 53; 54 for thesesections A through F or AB through EF should also be placed on therespective blankets 19; 21. If the first and second roller elements 53;54 are provided, when the cylinder 16; 17 with roller elements 53; 54starts to rotate, the second roller element 54 will push the trailingbevelled end 26 of the dressing or blanket into the opening 28; 38; 39;41 as it rolls over it. If only the first roller elements 53 are fitted,then these perform the pressing down. It is advantageous that the rollerelements 53; 54 remain fixed in place for this, while cylinder 16; 17rotates in the production direction P. The retaining devices, previouslyplaced in the release or open position for sections A through F or ABthrough EF, such as by operation of one or more clamping pieces 29; 43,change to their hold or closed retaining position. After the retainingdevices have changed from the release position to their retainingposition, all of the roller elements 53; 54 of the respective section Athro F or AB thro EF of cylinder 16; 17 and its blanket 19; 21 areswitched off.

On relaxing a blanket 19; 21, it must then be taken into account whetherone or more other blankets 19; 21 should remain on the cylinder 16; 17.In this first case, at least one of the roller elements 53; 54, which isassociated with the blankets 19; 21 that are to remain, should beclamped or should remain clamped in the region of the trailing end 26 ornear the opening 28; 38; 39; 41. The roller elements 53; 54, which areassociated with the blankets 19; 21 that are to be released, should beunclamped or should remain unclamped. The retaining devices for sectionsA through F or AB through EF are opened. The trailing end 26 of theblanket 19; 21 to be removed is ejected, by its own spring force, fromthe channel 27; 36; 37, while the blankets 19; 21 to be retained areheld down by roller elements 53; 54. The retaining device is then closedagain. If the actuating mechanism is fitted with both first and secondroller elements 53; 54, the blankets 19; 21 to be retained areadvantageously held down by at least the second roller elements 54. Forthe blankets 19; 21 to be removed, if the actuating mechanism is fittedwith both first and second roller elements 53; 54 then initially atleast the second roller element 54 should be switched off, so that theend 26 can escape from the channel 27; 36; 37, and the first rollerelement 54 should be switched on, so that the already partially releasedblanket 19; 21 is still guided and is held by cylinder 16; 21.

The cylinder 16; 17 can then advantageously be rotated counter to theproduction rotation P, until the leading end 24 is ejected from thechannel 27; 36; 37, and the blanket 19; 21 can then be removed. If, whenthe blanket 19; 21 is released, no remaining blankets 19; 21 requireconsideration, then the roller elements 53; 54 of the blankets 19; 21for sections A through F or AB through EF, that are not to be released,can be taken, during the procedure and in principle at any operatingposition, preferably switched off.

At least one proof-pulling element 53; 54 can thus be secured, asrequired, to blankets 19; 21 that are positioned on the outercircumference 30; 40 of cylinder 16; 17, while an end 24; 26 of ablanket 19; 21 or of several blankets 19; 21 are released, i.e. at thatpoint in time are not used for proof-pulling.

In an advantageous arrangement of the present invention, cylinders 16;17 of the offset tower 02 can be driven so that the printing machines 13of the offset tower 02 are each rotationally driven by at least onedrive motor that is mechanically independent of the other printingmachines 13. The drive motors 61, as depicted schematically in FIG. 8,are preferably electric motors 61 which are controlled by their angularposition, such as, for example, asynchronous motors, synchronous motorsor direct current motors. In an advantageous further development, thereis at least one gearbox 62 between the drive motor 61 and the cylinder16; 17; 18 or cylinder pair 16; 17; 18, 18 being driven, and inparticular a reduction gearbox 62, such as, for example, a spur andpinion gearbox, an ancillary gearbox and/or a planetary gearbox. The useof individual drives contributes to high flexibility and to avoidance ofvibration in the mechanical drive systems, and thus contributes to highquality in the resultant product. In the following FIGS. 8 through 10,only the components on the right hand side of the press are identifiedwith their reference numbers, since the left hand side of the press issimply a mirror image of the right hand side. Alternative configurationsare indicated for each of the upper and lower printing machines and forthe inking and dampening systems 14; 20, which are interchangeable witheach other.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, all nine cylinders 16; 17; 18 areeach driven by their own drive motor 61, each of which drives therespective cylinder 16; 17; 18 through a gearbox 62. The ink train 14shown in FIG. 8 is fitted with two friction rollers 63 as well as withother rollers that are not specifically shown. The friction rollers aredriven by their own common drive motor 64. The two friction rollers 63can be moved and driven, in an axial sense, by a drive train, which isnot shown. The ink train 14 shown below has only a single frictionroller 63. The upper dampening system 20 is fitted with two frictionrollers 66 as well as with other rollers that are also not shown. Thefriction rollers are driven by their own common drive motor 67. The twofriction rollers 66 can be moved and driven, in an axial sense, by adrive train, which is not shown. The lower dampening system 20 has onlya single friction roller 66. In a variation of the present invention,which is indicated in the upper printing machine by dotted lines, theink train and/or the dampening system 14; 20 is not driven by its owndrive motor 64; 67, but takes a rotary drive from the rollers 16; 17;18, in particular from forme cylinder 16 by the use of a mechanicalcoupling, using for example, gears and/or belts.

In contrast to the configuration depicted in FIG. 8, both the cylinders16; 17 of each printing machine 13, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 9,are driven by a common drive motor 61, which is arranged initiallyacting on the transfer cylinder 17. The drive can be arranged axially,such as by using a gearbox 62, or can be accomplished by a pinion geardriving a drive gear on the transfer cylinder 17. The drive gear on thetransfer cylinder 17 can then drive a further drive gear on the formecylinder 16. The drive linkage 68, as shown as a dotted line in FIG. 9,can take the form of gearing or a belt drive, and, in a furtherdevelopment, is encapsulated. The arrangement used for the drive of theink train and for any necessary dampening system 14; 20, whether usingtheir own drive motors 64; 67, or having a drive derived from a cylinder16; 17; 18, should always be as shown in FIG. 8.

In contrast to the configuration depicted in FIG. 9, both the cylinders16; 17 of each printing machines 13, in the arrangement shown in FIG.10, are driven by one common drive motor 61, which initially drives theform cylinder 16. Once again, the drive can be arranged axially, such asby using a gearbox 62, or can be accomplished via a pinion gear drivinga drive gear on the forme cylinder 16. The drive gear on the formecylinder 16 can then drive a further drive gear on the transfer cylinder17. The drive linkage 68 can be arranged as shown in FIG. 9. Thearrangement used for the drive of the ink train and for the drive of anynecessary dampening system 14; 20, whether using their own drive motors64; 67 or derived from a cylinder 16; 17; 18 should once again always beas shown in FIG. 8.

In contrast to the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 by the dottedline showing the ink train and/or dampening system 14; 20 without theirown rotary drives, it is however advantageous, in a further development,to drive the ink train and/or the dampening system 14; 20 from thetransfer cylinder 17. This allows a definite instantaneous flow rate tobe achieved and avoids any irregularities arising from change of flankfrom one gear tooth to the next. An arrangement of this type of drivetrain is shown schematically in FIG. 11.

Through a pinion gear, as seen in FIG. 11, drive motor 61 drives a drivegear 72 that is rotationally firmly connected to forme cylinder 16,which, in turn, drives a drive gear 73 that is rotationally firmlyconnected to transfer cylinder 17. Either the drive gear 73 is a widetype, or a second drive gear 74 is attached to the transfer cylinder 17.The wide or the additional drive gear 73; 74 drives through a rotarydrive gear 77 which is mounted on a journal 76 on forme cylinder, to adrive gear 78 for the ink train and/or the dampening system 14; 20. Thedrive gears 72; 73; 74; 77; 78 are preferably spur gears. For the casethat forme cylinder 16 is shiftable for adjusting the axial position by,for example ±ΔL, at least the pinion 71 and the drive gears 72 thro 74should be straight toothed. Between drive motor 61 and the gearbox frompinion 71 and drive gear 72 an additional encapsulated ancillarytransmission gearbox 62′ can be fitted, which is indicated here by adashed line. The drive to forme cylinder 16 can also alternatively beaxial, by use of journal 76, which allows an axial movement of the formecylinder 16 using an axial relative movement, not shown, between theforme cylinder 16 and the coupling at the output from drive motor 61.The satellite cylinder 18 in this arrangement is also driven by a pinion71 to an associated drive gear 79, in particular spur gear 79. Eachdrive train is driven by an independent drive motor 61. In anadvantageous arrangement, at least for those drive trains, in smallerunits, are encapsulated units, shown as a dashed line in FIG. 11.

The arrangements described for the offset tower 02 and for the printingmachine 13 and their associated cylinders 16; 17; 18 and their drivesallow low-vibration, precision registration printing of a high qualitywith a low technical requirement. This can be done in a small space andis coupled with the achievement of product excellence.

After web 03 has been printed with, for instance, six pages in width,this web 03 runs over guide elements and/or draw rollers, that need notbe described in detail, into the area of the superstructure 04 where web03 is fed, for instance, through longitudinal slitters 06, as seen inFIG. 12. These slitters 06 have, for instance, a roller 81, with, forinstance, roller 81 being a draw roller driven by its own drive motor80, which functions, together with the proof-pulling rollers, in orderto avoid slippage. Longitudinal slitters 06 and draw rollers 81 can alsobe implemented separately from each other, in which case thelongitudinal slitters 06 preferably operate in conjunction with anotherroller. In this arrangement of longitudinal slitters 06, the web 03 isdivided into a multiple, such as, for example, three, partial web-widthwebs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, which will be referred to, for briefness, aspartial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, and which are symbolically indicated bytheir centre lines, lines 03 a, 03 b, longitudinally slit before thesepartial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c following guide elements, such as rollersfor register controls 08, turn rods for turn units 07, run-on rollersfor intake to former folders or draw rollers. To achieve a relativelyvibration-free web transport relative to the web tension, all of theguide elements, either individual, multiple, undriven or simply drivenby friction with webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, which guide elements areprovided for guidance of the partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, shall be ofa reduced length. Compared to the requirements for a web width of sixprinted pages, this allows a substantial reduction in length andstrength of the guide elements, because the load-bearing capacity ismuch less. The risk of vibrations, especially in the event of changes ofspeed, which vibrations otherwise would arise, is effectively reduced,which, in turn, avoids the negative consequences for registrationprecision and print quality that would otherwise occur. The followingarrangements for guidance elements of reduced length, for lateralposition change capability, and for arranging a register roller withanother guide element can be used on a wide variety of printingmachines, but above all can be used with particular advantage onmachines that are six plates wide.

FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of a first preferred arrangement for atleast a part of the superstructure 04. The arrangement shown in FIG. 12depicts the partial web 03 b turning outwards from the center. A secondone of the partial webs 03 a; 03 c; could, for instance, by use of asecond turn unit 07 of this type be directed into another direction. Asecond turn unit can, for example, be placed above or below the firstturn unit 07.

The turn unit 07 has, as the guide element 82, the usual arrangement oftwo parallel or crossed turn bars 82, which form an angle of approx. 45°or 135° to the incoming partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, and by the use ofwhich, an incoming web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c can be laterally displacedand/or inverted. The turn bars 82 exhibit advantageously a length L82,the projection of which length onto the crosswise dimension of theincoming partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c is very slightly greater, forinstance between 0% and 20% greater, than the width of the incomingpartial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c. That is, the length L82 is approx. 1.4 to1.7 times that of the partial web. At least the length L 82 is chosen tobe such that its projection is less than, or is equal to twice the widthof one of the two page partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, so that the lengthL82 is, at most, 2.8 times the width of the partial web. In anadvantageous further development, the turn bars 82 are each mounted oncarriers 83, which are positioned crosswise to the incoming partial web03 a; 03 b; 03 c and whose location can at least be moved by the use ofa guide 84. The “short” turn bars 82 can now be brought into thenecessary position according to the requirements of the desired web. Insome circumstances, both turn bars 82 can be mounted on this type ofcarrier 83.

Displaced, turned, overlaid and/or inverted partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03c experience, in comparison to other partial webs 03 a; 03 c, as a rule,a displacement of their direction of travel and therefore must becorrected in the longitudinal register by the use of a register control08. The register control 08 has a guide element 86 with at least onemoveable roller arranged parallel to the direction of travel. The roller86 or several rollers 86 of the register control 08 advantageously havea length L86 which is very slightly greater, for instance which isbetween 0% and 20% greater, than the width of the incoming partial web03 a; 03 b; 03 c. At least the length L 82 is less than or is equal totwice the width of one of the two page partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c. Inan advantageous further development, the register control 08 is mountedcrosswise to the incoming partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c on at least oneguide 87 whose location can be moved. The register control 08 is nownarrow and, together with its short roller 86, can now be brought intothe necessary position according to the requirements of the desired webrouting.

As well as the slitters, and any necessary turning devices orregistration devices, the partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c are fed overother undriven guide elements, such as guide rollers which are notspecifically shown, before they are fed into the run-in rollers or harprollers 89 of what is called the harp 09, which is shown schematicallyin FIG. 1 and which is situated in front of the former folder 11. Forthe webs 03 that run straight through, and for partial webs 03 a; 03 b;03 c, there is, in the superstructure 04 upstream from the harp roller89, for instance a register roller 91 and a diverter roller 92 that arearranged across the full web width b03, and whose position can be variedalong the transport direction.

In an advantageous arrangement, the length of a guide roller and/or of aharp roller 88 is L88; L93 is very slightly greater, for instancebetween 0% and 20% greater, than the width of the incoming partial web03 a; 03 b; 03 c. At least the lengths L 88; L93, shown in FIG. 13, areless than or are equal to twice the width of one of the two page partialweb 03 a; 03 b; 03 c. In the example shown in FIG. 12 the “short” harproller 88 is split into sections 88, however, in total, it constitutesharp roller 89 whose total width is sufficient for a web 03 whose widthis six printed pages. The sections of the harp roller 88 are each freeto rotate independently.

The “short” harp roller 88; 93, functioning as guide element, canhowever be fitted instead of, or in addition to a section 88, even, asshown in FIG. 13, implemented as an individually mounted harp roller 93in its own frame. This can either be fixed in the frame or also on acarrier 94 or on a guide 96 positioned crosswise to the direction oftravel of the incoming partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c with sufficientscope for local adjustment.

Since the displacement on turning displacement, inversion etc, appliesonly to these partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c and is connected with theirspecial routing, in an advantageous arrangement, the necessary registercontrol 08 can be arranged in combination with one or more of the guideelements for the routing of the partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, such asthe turn unit 07 or one of the turn rods 82 or the harp 09 or a “short”harp roller 93.

In FIG. 13 for instance the “short” register control 08 is arranged incombination with the “short” harp roller 93 and then can be adjustedtogether with this “short” harp roller for position using the guide 96which is arranged crosswise to the incoming partial web 03 b; 03 c.

In FIG. 14 for instance, the “short” register control 08 is arranged incombination with one of the “short” turn bars 82 and then can beadjusted together with this “short” turn bar 82 for position using theguide 84 which is arranged crosswise to the incoming partial web 03 b.This arrangement is here shown for crossed turn bars 82, but it couldequally well be used for parallel turn bars 82, as shown in FIG. 11. Forthe case that turn bars 82, which are crossed or which are orthogonal toeach other, are used, at least one, and here two diverter rollers 97 areused with axes of rotation perpendicular to that of the axis of rotationof roller 81.

In an advantageous further development, one of the 3-page width printingmachines in the superstructure is assigned to the entire web 03 two ofthis sort, with register control and turn units 08; 07 or with registercontrol and harp roller 93 joint positional adjustment “short” deviceone above the other.

The guides 84; 96, shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, for the arrangementexamples described above, can be implemented in a wide variety ofdifferent ways. For instance, the guides 84; 96 can be arranged asspindles with at least sectioned threads, which spindles are mounted onboth sides and which can be turned, and can be driven with a rotarydrive, which is not shown. The carriers 83; 94 can be arranged as sortof sliding chocks also in a rigid guide 84; 96, for instance asprofiles. In this way, a drive for the carrier 83; 94 can also beprovided using a driven spindle or otherwise.

In the center of the adjustable position turn bar 82 there can bevariable overlaps and displacements of partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 cover one or two partial web widths, or also multiples of half a partialweb width. In such cases, the printed partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c areeach aligned with one of several, here three, former folders 101; 102;103, as shown in FIG. 15 of the folder structure, which are arrangedalongside one another crosswise to the direction of travel. The transfermust permit, for instance, the requirements of different thicknesses inthe individual ribbons and must correspond to semi-finished and tofinished end products, while at the same time permitting effectiveprinting of the fullest possible web width.

For n webs 03; 03′ to be printed in, for example n print towers 01, eachof a maximum width b03 of m printed pages, the superstructure 04 has, inan advantageous arrangement, at least (n*(m/2−1) turn units 07. In thecase of a six page width printing machine with, for instance, three webs03; 03′, and three print towers 01 per section, there are advantageouslysix turn units 07 per section.

In an arrangement of the printing machine with, for instance, twosections each of three print towers 01 and in total six webs 03; 03′;03″ each web being four printed pages wide and arranged for four-colorprinting on both sides, there are at least three turn units 07 providedper section.

In an advantageous arrangement of a printing machine with, for instance,two sections each of two print towers 01 and in total four webs 03; 03′;03″, each being four printed pages wide for four-color printing on bothsides, there are four turn units 07 provided per section. In theprinting machine with two sections, a total of four print towers 01, andfour webs 03; 03′, the combined operation can yield a product with atotal thickness of, for instance, 96 pages. As well as the displacementof a partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c by a whole number multiple of itspartial web width b03 a, an advantageous operating mode is possiblewhereby a partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c is displaced by an odd numbermultiple of a half partial web width b03 a and/or former folder width,such as by a factor 0.5; 1.5; 2.5, as seen in FIG. 15. This can be doneby the use of long turn bars which are not shown and which extend overthe entire width of the printing machine or over the width b03 of theentire web 03, but also can be done advantageously by the locallyadjustable “short” turn bars 82 described above. The turn bars 82 arethen, for example, arranged as shown in FIG. 15, so that the first turnbars 82 enclosed by the partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c are aligned atleast with the entire width of the following former folder 101; 102;103, while the second turn bar 82 is at least aligned with theneighbouring halves of the two following former folders 101; 102; 103which lie alongside each other.

The partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, which is displaced by an odd numbermultiple of a half former folder width b101 or by partial web width b03a, thus runs “between” the former folders 101; 102; 103. This is shownin FIGS. 15 and 16 in the example of a folder structure with a width ofsix printed pages on a partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c with a width of twopages. However, this can also be applied to machines of other widths.Therefore no partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c with a width of a singlesheet or partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c with a width of half a formerfolder can be printed and fed through the machine. A higher multiple ofthe product is however possible.

The partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, which is displaced by an odd numbermultiple of a partial web width b03 a or of a partial web width b03 a,will be longitudinally slit before it reaches the former folders 101;102; 103 by the operation of slitters aligned between the two matchingformer folders 101; 102; 103, following which it runs on to the folderstructure 11 or to the harp 09, i.e. split or not split harp roller 89and/or “short” harp roller 93, as depicted in FIG. 16.

In FIG. 16 a schematic section of FIG. 15 is shown with examples ofdifferent harp rollers 89; 93, whereby, for example, the partial webs 03c is displaced from its original position, shown incomplete, byone-and-a-half partial web widths b03 a. It can, for example if theproduct is cut with a further longitudinal slitter 104 ahead of theformer folders 101; 102; 103, which must always be a printed page or anewspaper page width wide, in each case be split into two halves therebyforming the partial webs 03 a and 03 b which each are fed to a formerfolder 101; 102. Both the semi-finished products then each have, forinstance, a partial web width 03 c 1; 03 c 2 of at least a printed pagein width from what previously was a partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03 c of twoprinted pages width. In addition, partial webs 03 a′; 03 b′; 03 c′ canbe brought in, for instance as printed webs 03′ from another print unit02 or from another print tower 01 to run onto one or more of the harprollers 89; 93. The partial webs 03 a, 03 a′, 03 c 1; 03 b, 03 b′, 03 c2 can now each, for instance, be collated into a ribbon 109; 111; 112 onthe same alignment and can be fed to a former folder 101; 102; 103. Inthe example shown, from two printed webs, each having been double sidedprinted in double size and triple width print units, such as four-color03; 03′ products or semi-finished products, which are also calledvolumes or books, with the following, in accordance with the mounting ofform cylinder 16 and the corresponding mode of operation of folderstructure 12, a different number of pages can be produced. In simpleproduction, wherein the forme cylinder 16 is mounted, in thecircumferential direction, with two print formes 19 of different printedpages A1, A2 through F1, F2, or A1′, A2′ through F1′, F2′ for the secondweb 03′, and in the folder structure 12 they are transversely folded andare collated so that the ribbons 109 and 111 can each produce twodifferent volumes, each of 10 printed pages, and the ribbon 112 canproduce two different volumes, each of four printed pages. A totalproduct then has 48 pages. If this printing machine is used in doubleproduction, wherein the forme cylinder 16 is mounted with two printformes 19 of the same printed pages A1, A1; through F1 or A1′, A1′through F1′, F1′, and in the folder structure 12 they are not collated,then the ribbons 109, 111 and 112 each produce two identical volumes,each of the above numbers of pages. A total product has then only 24pages, but it is produced at twice the rate of output.

The harp rollers 89; 93, in particular if they are not split over thewhole length, can, in a further development, be driven separately bytheir own drive motors, which are not shown. These motors can then beadjustable, for instance, with respect to their speed of rotation andalso in their position, and can thus be specified in the machinecontrols or by using electronic control in relation to a masterreference axle.

As shown in FIG. 17, the folder structure 11 exhibits at least twoformer folders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108 located one above the other,whose plane of symmetry S is aligned with the partial web 03 a; 03 b; 03c that runs, in a straight line, from one of the printing machines. Inparticular, the planes of symmetry S of both the former folders 101;106; 102; 107; 103; 108 that lie one above the other largely coincidewith a centre line plane M of a partial web 3 a; 3 b; 3 c (3 a′; 3 b′;3c′ or 3 a″; 3 b″; 3 c″ or 3 a′″; 3 b′″; 3 c′″ etc.) which is two pagewidths wide and which is diverted only in the vertical sense. In FIG. 18some of the partial webs 3 a; 3 b; 3 c etc. are drawn in solid lines andsome are shown with a dashed line to another part, for reasons whichwill be explained below.

For printing machines that are six printed pages wide, there arearranged two vertically offset groups each of three former folders 101;102; 103 or 106; 107; 108 as shown in FIG. 17. For four printed pagewidths, there can be two former folders alongside each other, and foreight printed page widths there can be four former folders alongsideeach other. Each pair of an upper and a lower former folder 101; 106;102; 107; 103; 108 are aligned as a pair, in the style and methoddescribed above, to a center plane M. The three former folders 101; 102;103 or 106; 107; 108, or a group, are displaced transversely to thedirection of travel of the partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, and, in anadvantageous arrangement, are arranged to be essentially at the sameheight. They can however, if necessary, be displaced vertically withrespect to each other and/or can be at various vertical heights,allowing them to partially overlap each other in the horizontal plane.

As seen in the direction of travel of the webs, before the folderstructure 11, or at least before one of the groups of former folders101; 102; 103 or 106; 107; 108 situated one above the other and whichlead into the former folder for the webs 03; 03′; or the partial webs 03a; 03 b; 03 c. with the fixed harp 09, there is a group of severalparallel run-in or harp rollers 89;93 which are displaced in a radialsense to each other, and over which the different webs 03; 03′; or thedifferent partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c or 03 a′; 03 b′; 03 c′ etc. fromthe superstructure 04 are fed before reaching the folder structure 11.For the harp rollers 89; 93, the webs are collated into a ribbon 109;111; 112 or into several ribbons 109; 111; 112. The subsequent positionof the partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c or 03 a′; 03 b′; 03 c′ withinribbon 109; 111; 112 and the printed pages in the semi-finished orfinished end product, can be changed by the relative positions of thepartial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c or 03 a′; 03 b′; 03 c′ within the harp 09.The harp rollers 89; 93 of a harp 09 are displaced from each othervertically and/or horizontally and are preferably constructed as anassembled module which is mounted in a common frame. In principle, aharp of this type is provided for each of the vertically displacedgroups of former folders 101; 102; 103 or 106; 107; 108.

A saving can be made in the height required for the printing press by anadvantageous arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 19, where both the twoformer folders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108 that are mounted above oneanother, and which are located in the same plane of symmetry, have acommon harp 09. For n full webs 03; 03′ to be printed by, for example nprint towers 01 of a section, of a maximum width b03 of m printed pages,the harp, in an advantageous arrangement, has at least (n*m/2) harprollers 88; 89; 93, whose axes of rotation, for instance, largely lie ina common plane, and which harp rollers are preferably mounted in acommon frame. In the case of a printing machine which is six page widthswide, and, for instance with two webs 03; 03′ and two print towers 01,there are advantageously at least six harp rollers 88; 89; 93 for eachharp.

In an arrangement of one section of the printing machine, with threeprint towers 01 and with three partial webs 03; 03′; 03″ foraccomplishing four-colour printing on both sides of a web 03, there areat least nine harp rollers 88; 89; 93 provided per harp 09. In thissection, in collation operation, a product with a total thickness of,for instance, 72 pages can be produced.

In an advantageous arrangement of a printing machine with, for instance,two sections, each of two print towers 01 and with a total of fourpartial webs 03; 03′; 03″, each being six page widths wide, forfour-color printing on both sides, there are at least six harp rollers88; 89; 93 provided per harp 09 in each section. These six harp rollers88; 89; 93 per section, for a total of twelve harp rollers, can bearranged to run through two separately mounted harps 09, over a commonfolder structure 11 or two folder structures 11, or also in twoalignments through a harp 09 within a single frame. In this printingmachine with two sections, with a total of four print towers 01 and fourwebs 03; 03′ then in collating operation a product with a totalthickness of, for instance, 96 pages can be produced.

In an arrangement of a printing machine with, for instance, two sectionseach of two print towers 01 and with a total of four partial webs 03;03′; 03″ each of six page widths wide for four-color printing on bothsides there are at least six harp rollers 88; 89; 93 provided for eachharp 09 in each section. These six harp rollers 88; 89; 93 for eachsection, for a total of twelve harp rollers, can be arranged in twoseparately mounted harps 09, for example over a common folder structure11 or over two folder structures 11, but also in a common frame harp 09in two alignments. In this printing machine with two sections, with, forexample, a total of four print towers 01 and four webs 03; 03′ then, incollect or collating operation, a product with a total thickness of, forinstance, 96 pages can be produced.

If only one folder structure 11 is provided for two sections, then thenumber of harp rollers 89; 93 required is determined for theconfiguration of the sections. If the folder structure 11 is positionedbetween the two sections, then either all the harp rollers 89; 93 shouldbe arranged in the same alignment, or, to save installation height, theharp rollers 89; 93 for each section can be each placed in their ownalignment and the two alignments can be displaced horizontally, in aradial sense, relative to each other. The harp rollers 89; 93 of the twoalignments should, in this case, both be arranged within a common frame.

If, as shown in FIG. 1, there are, in fact, two folder structures 11provided for the two sections, it can nevertheless be advantageous forat least one of the two harps 09 to be provided with a number of harprollers 89; 93 in both of the above-mentioned alignments, which arenecessary for the two sections. This allows a great degree offlexibility in production thicknesses and in compilations. The webs 03;03′ printed in one section can now, if needed, be routed for furtherprocessing through the harp 09 of the other section, and vice versa.

As shown in FIG. 18, at least one of the partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 cwhich run through the common harp 09 ahead of the upper former folders101; 102; 103 can be directed to run through the lower former folders106; 107; 108. According to the thickness desired for the individualsemi-finished product, such as volumes, or books a greater or lessernumber of the partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c can be changed over from theupper former folders 101; 102; 103 to the lower former folders 106; 107;108. In accordance with production requirements, this allows differentthicknesses of ribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116 to be run either tothe upper former folders 101; 102; 103 or to the lower former folders106; 107; 108. For instance, the partial webs shown as dashed lines inFIG. 17 as ribbons 113; 114; 116 are arranged to run through the lowerformer folders 106; 107; 108, and the partial webs shown as solid linesare arranged to run through the upper former folders 101; 102; 103. The“dividing line” between the partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c which lieabove one another from the common harp is flexible, so that thickersemi-finished products, such as volumes, or books, or finished productsrequire reduced effort to set up. In FIG. 18, a second alignment of harprollers 89; 93 is shown as a dashed line, be the use of which, thepartial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c described above can, for instance, betaken from a different section.

In the case of multi-color production, it is advantageous, from thepoint of view of flexibility, when using the folder structure 11 with acommon harp, as described above, that all printing units 02 or printtowers 01 and the webs 03; 03′ all have the same color capability aseach other. So, for instance, the web 03; 03′ and the partial webs 03 a;03 b; 03 c etc. and also the printing machine 13 can be selectedflexibly for a colored cover sheet, and the thickness of thesemi-finished product can be variable.

The above-mentioned folder structure 11 with only a single harp 09 fortwo former folders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108 is also suitable forother printing machines with other cylinder widths and cylindercircumferences. A folder structure of this type, comprising two formerfolders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108 arranged one above the other andhaving a common harp 09, can also be combined with a third former folderwith its own harp 09. The folder structure 11 described with multiplevertically displaced former folders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108 and anassociated harp 09 can also be used to good effect on three formerfolders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108 arranged one above the other.

External cover pages of, for example, an outer book can thus be routedvia a particular web and/or a particular print tower/print unit.

The harp that is associated with multiple former folders 101; 106; 102;107; 103; 108 allows the partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c which arearranged one above the other to be processed flexibly, according to theneeds of the product, into different thicknesses of books, withoutrequiring a major effort to arrange additional, superfluousdisplacements of partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c. So, for instance, fromfour partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c lying one above the other, in onecase three webs can feed into one former folder 101; 106; 102; 107; 103;108 and the other one web can feed in the other former folders 101; 106;102; 107; 103; 108, while on another occasion two of the four partialwebs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c can be combined and can be fed into two of theformer folders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108. It is particularlyadvantageous that adjacent ribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116 ofdifferent thicknesses can be combined, as shown in FIG. 17.

The draw roller 117 and the former folder feed-in roller 118 for theformer folders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108 each have, in anadvantageous arrangement, their own drive motors 119, just as does thedraw roller 121 for the folder structure 11, as seen in FIG. 19. In FIG.19, the draw roller 117 for the lower group of former folders 106; 107;108 is not visible. The respective drive motor 119 for the draw roller121 is shown in FIG. 19 merely by an infilled area alongside therespective draw roller 121. Each of the former folders 101; 106; 102;107; 103; 108 has, in an advantageous arrangement, at least one of thesedraw rollers 121 associated with it, which draw roller 121 works incombination with the proof-pulling rollers or with a singleproof-pulling roller via ribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116. Inaddition to this, the folder structure 11 advantageously has undrivenguide rollers 122, over which guide rollers 122 the ribbons 109; 111;112; 113; 114; 116, which are one printed page in width, can be fed.

It is particularly advantageous, for example in view of the need to setup and to maintain longitudinal registration, that the folder structure12 has at least one drive motor 120 of its own, which is mechanicallyindependent of the printing units 02. While the drive motors 119 of thedraw roller 117 and of the former folder feed-in roller 117; 118; 121 ofthe folder structure 11 and/or of the driven draw rollers 81 of thesuperstructure 04 must merely be arranged to be controllable in respectof rotational speed and thus can be arranged to maintain a set angularrelationship, the drive motor 120, in an advantageous arrangement, canbe controlled and can be regulated with respect to its angular position.

This arrangement permits the print units 02 and folder structure 12, andtheir drive motors 61; 120, whose drives are mechanically independent ofeach other, to be linked with respect to their angular position by avirtual electronic reference axis. In another arrangement, the angularposition of the folder structure 12, and its drive motor 120 aredetermined. Based on this, the angular position relative to the printunits 02 and to the printing machine 13 to this is determined. The drivemotors 80; 118 for the driven rollers 81; 117; 118 that are controlledmerely by their angular speed receive their speed settings, forinstance, from the machine controls.

By equipping the rotating roller printing machine with three times widthand with double size transfer and forme cylinders and the correspondingarrangement of the folder structure, with a single web for instance indouble production, there can be produced

a book of twelve pages

a book of four pages and a book with eight pages

two books with six pages

three books with four pages

together with further variations.

In collation or collection mode production, the numbers of pages can bedoubled with semi-finished products in each case of two longitudinallyfolded sections.

For printing in tabloid format the respective numbers of pages can, ineach case, be doubled. The dimensioning of the cylinders 16; 17; 18 andof the groups of former folders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108 should beused for the respective “landscape” printed pages. So that in thecircumferential direction, in the direction of running of the web 03 a;03′; 03 a; 03 b; 03 c of a section A; B; C two flat forme pages areshown, the forme cylinder 16 can then therefore, for instance in onecircumference, exhibit the equivalent of four landscape pages in tabloidformat. The number of printed pages in the longitudinal directionremains on the web 03 a; 03′; 03 a; 03 b; 03 c, and cylinder 16; 17; 18and the former folder width are maintained.

In a particularly advantageous arrangement of the three times widthprinting machine, as seen in FIG. 20, the folder structure 12 isprovided with a transport cylinder 123, such as, for instance, acollection or collation and/or folding blade cylinder, which has acapacity for accepting more than five section lengths arranged insuccession around the circumferential direction, and for providing acorresponding number of retainers 129.

Among other possibilities, three ribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116from three adjacent former folders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108 can befed simultaneously into the folder structure 12. However, up to sixribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116 can be fed from different formerfolder groups, which ribbons then can be further processed into aproduct.

The transport cylinder 123 is provided with a large circumference, asdescribed above, to permit correspondingly large movements for theactuation processes, such as cutting, holding, folding, which promotereliable operation at high production speeds. The larger radius ofcurvature has a further benefit of reducing markedly oblique cut edgethat might otherwise be imparted to the product, especially for thickmaterials.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic side elevation of the folder structure 12. Thefolder structure 12 has at least one intake, and, in this case, has twointakes, for one or for several ribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116.

Ribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116 run though a pair of draw rollers124 which regulate the tension. They then impinge on the transportcylinder 123 at the height of a cutting slot 126 and pass between thetransport cylinder 123 on the one side and a cutter cylinder 127 on theother side. Instead of two intakes and two cutter slots 126 there canalso be provided just one, or three, or four of these intakes and cutterslots 126.

The cutter cylinder 127 has a circumference corresponding at least toone, but preferably to two or more lengths of the signatures to beformed out of the webs 03; 04, and carries two cutter knives 128.

The folder structure 12 includes cutter cylinders 127 of this type,which are arranged around the periphery of the transport cylinder 123,and each of which carries two cutter knives. As shown, two ribbons 109;111; 112; 113; 114; 116 or a bundle of ribbons 135 coming, for examplefrom different former folders 101; 106; 102; 107; 103; 108, can bebrought together in the folder structure 12 and can be fed into the twocutter slots to be cut separately before collection or collation into aproduct. The cutter knives 128, in an advantageous arrangement, aredisplaced slightly from 180° with respect to each other around thecircumference, so that, when operating in collection or collation mode,the second cut avoids cutting the first signature a second time. Thus,the signature is cut shorter and the follow-through is left longer thanhalf the circumference of the cutter cylinder 127. In this case, thelength of the signature is considered to be the average of these severallengths.

Furthermore, the transport cylinder 123 has a displacement bar, which isnot shown, in the area of its circumference between each of twotransport grippers. This displacement bar has the effect, as it emergesfrom the face of the circumference, of shortening the signature inrelation to the circumference. This allows the signature cut done by thesecond, lower cutter cylinder 127 to be performed without cutting, for asecond time, the signature that has already been cut and which is lyingon the transport cylinder, because it has been shortened by thisdisplacement bar.

The circumference of the transport cylinder 123 is equivalent to morethan five, and in particular to seven section lengths of the signatureso that cylinder 123 is a “seven field transport cylinder 123”. On thetransport cylinder 123, in the circumferential direction, there areprovided seven recessed retainers 129 equally spaced one behind another,such as pinhole bars 129 for extendable pinhole needles, or a pinholefolding device. The retainers 129 can also take the form of grippers129, such as a gripper fold device.

The signature cut off from ribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116 having acutter length, such as, for example a length of a portrait printed page,in particular a newspaper page are forwarded by the retainer 129 on tothe transport cylinder 123.

On the transport cylinder 123 there are furthermore fitted seven foldknives or blades 130, each of which fold knife or blade, on reaching thegap 131 between the transport cylinder 123 and a flap fold cylinder 132,is moved outwards, so that the signatures transported on the transportcylinder 123 are passed on to the flap fold cylinder 132 in a particularway. These signatures are then folded. The folded products are passedfrom the flap fold cylinder 132 to a creel or a delivery cylinder 133and from this are delivered to a discharge device 134, such as aconveyor belt 134.

Advantageously, the folder structure 12 can be operated, by itstransport cylinder 123, in a choice between the options of a normal modeand a collection or collating mode of operation. In collection orcollating mode, the transport cylinder 123 does not pass each signatureor product cut-off on to the next cylinder on the first run through ofthe gap 131. Instead, it performs a further revolution with the samepiece, when the retainers hold at least one further signature forpassing on to the flap fold cylinder 132, before passing the signaturesthus collected or collated in the gap 131 to the flap fold cylinder 132.In normal operation mode, the transport cylinder 123 always passes thesignature on to the next cylinder 132 on the first run through of thegap 131. The transport cylinder 123 is a convertible arrangement and isfitted, in particular, with seven pinhole bars 129 in the circumference.

Cutter cylinder 127, transport cylinder 123 and flap fold cylinder 132together with creel or delivery cylinder 133 as required are preferablydriven by a single drive motor 136, which is shown schematically in FIG.19 as drive motor 120, mechanically independent of the drives of theprinting units 03, superstructure 04 and folder structure 11.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 20 shows the drive motor 136 but does notshow the pinion or the gear wheel driving the cutter cylinder 127 or thegear wheels driving multiple cutter cylinders 127. The transportcylinder 123 and the flap fold cylinder 132 are driven by the cuttercylinder 127. A belt drive 137 is taken from the flap fold cylinder 132to power the creel or delivery cylinder 133.

In another variant of the present invention, which is shown in FIG. 20only as dashed lines, the transport cylinder 123 is driven by a drivemotor 136, which is not shown in this case, through a pinion 138 and adrive gear 138, as shown in dashed lines. The cutter cylinder 127 andthe flap fold cylinder 132 are driven by the transport cylinder 123. Abelt drive 137 is taken, for instance, from the flap fold cylinder 132to power the creel or delivery cylinder 133.

In both the cases described above, it is preferred that the dischargedevice 134 is driven by its own drive motor, mechanically independent ofthe drives of the cylinders 123; 127; 132 and the creel or deliverycylinder 133.

Cutter cylinder 127, transport cylinder 123 and flap fold cylinder 132can also each be driven by their own drive motors, mechanicallyindependent of the drives of the printing machines.

In another advantageous arrangement of the drives, the cutter cylinder127, the transport cylinder 123 and the flap fold cylinder 132 are alldriven by at least a common drive motor 136 or alternatively are eachdriven by its own drive motor 136, mechanically independent of thedrives of the printing machines, while in a first variant the creel ordelivery cylinder 133 and the discharge device 134 are driven by acommon drive motor, which is mechanically independent of the drives ofthe cylinders 123; 127; 132 and the drives of the printing machines, andin the second variant each of the creel or collection cylinder 133 anddischarge device 134 is rotationally driven by its own drive motor.

When the circumference of the transport cylinder 123 is equal to sevencutter lengths, it is possible, as described above, that twelve webs 03and the corresponding number of partial webs 03 a; 03 b; 03 c etc., fora total of up to seventy-two paper layers, and divided into up to sixribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116, can be fed into the folderstructure. Using a folder structure 12 without collation or collectionoperation, a product with a total of 144 pages, and in particular 144newspaper pages, can be produced. If the folder structure 12 isconfigured for collation or collection operation, then using the sixwebs 03, the product can be, for instance, 14 pages, or, if more webs 03are used, then products with even greater numbers of pages can beproduced. For the last named product, the folder structure 12 can, forinstance, be arranged for cylinder folding. However, the retainingdevices 129 and the flap folds must be arranged to accommodate thisnumber of layers.

It is advantageous in this respect, if the intake area for the pair ofdraw rollers 124 or for multiple pairs of draw rollers 124 are eachfitted with at least one drive motor 139 of their own. This allowsmultiple ribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116 to be collated in theintake area of the folder structure 12. In an advantageous furtherdevelopment, the folder structure 12, as shown, has two pairs of drawrollers 124, and the cutter cylinders 127 operate in conjunction withthe transport cylinder 123. By this arrangement, in the intake area, two“bundles” can be collated from multiple ribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114;116, and these two bundles can be fed, one after the other, to thetransport cylinder 123 and can be cut separately from each other. Thesemeasures also contribute to the product thickness, as described above.By this arrangement, bundles of different or of identical numbers ofribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116 can be fed into the two pairs ofdraw rollers 124; or simply all, or a certain number, of the totalribbons 109; 111; 112; 113; 114; 116 can be fed to one of the two pairsof draw rollers 124.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 20, the folder structure 12 has afurther draw group 142 which is driven by a drive motor 141, or if thereare two intakes, there are two further draw groups 142 located ahead ofthe cutter gap 126. This is particularly advantageous if two cuttercylinders 127 are provided. The draw groups 142 are then spaced out, bythe same distance, from the respective cutter gap 136 along the “bundleweb”.

In an advantageous alternative arrangement of a folder structure 12, andparticularly, but not exclusively for the folder structure 12 asdepicted and described above, instead of the cutter cylinder orcylinders 127 with two cutter knives 128 mounted successively behindeach other on the circumference this, this alternative arrangement hasone cutter cylinder 127′ with four cutter knives 128 mountedsuccessively behind each other on the circumference, as seen in FIG. 26.Two or more ribbons or bundles of ribbons 135 can, for instance, becollated by a roller or a pair of rollers 125, with their own drivemotor, as draw group 125, or as undriven rollers or diverter rollersbefore entering the cutter gap 126. In FIG. 26, for the sake ofsimplicity, the detailed depiction of the remaining conveying system,such as drive motor 141, driven draw group 142 and the drive motor anddrive train is omitted, whereby this advantageous, in one of the abovementioned, variants and without cutter cylinder 127, can be implemented.The circumference comprises four, central lengths of signatures to beproduced from the webs 03; 04. As shown, again in the arrangement above,the cutter knives 128 are not equidistant around the circumference ofthe cutter cylinder 127′, but alternate between an angular segmentsomewhat greater than 90°, and an angular segment somewhat less than90°, around the circumference.

The four cutter knives 128, and the four cut-off lengths or signaturesaround the circumference of the cutter cylinder 127′, such as a cuttercylinder with four-fold circumferential division, permit the use ofsignificantly larger bearings, a greater journal strength and/or aheavier type of construction of the cylinder body itself, which allcontribute to an increase in stability. This allows thicker products,with more layers, to be cut, since a greater force can be applied. Forsmaller thicknesses of product, the precision of cut can be increaseddue to the reduction in twist and/or in bending.

For fold machine or folder structures 12 for higher numbers of pages andfor higher speeds, in addition to the centrifugal forces, the poweravailable for pinhole punching or puncturing, for clamping or grippingand for cutting is also a critical parameter. The cutter cylinder 127′with four-fold cutters is, for this reason, particularly advantageousbecause of its capability for cutting ribbons of great productthicknesses. This applies particularly to the printing machinesdescribed above with printing machines 02 that are three page widthswide and/or in conjunction with a seven-field transport cylinder 123.The arrangement, with four-fold division of the circumference, ishowever also useful apart from this. It can be used in any roller printmachine and/or in conjunction with a multiple field, for example withfive or seven field transport cylinders or cylinders of other formats,so as to achieve an increase in precision and/or product thicknesscapability. The cutter cylinder 127′ with four-fold cutters leads to aslight tilting of the cutter knife 128 when that cutter knife 128 isstriking the cutter bar on the transport cylinder and the grooved rubberprovided there, thus requiring reduced cutting power, or energy on forcecompared to a cutter cylinder 127 with two-fold cutters. The cutterpushes into the grooved rubber and then emerges from it at asignificantly less angle of inclination of the cutter knife 128. Boththe bending stress and the compression stress of the cutter knife 128are thereby less, in total, than for knives on the cutter cylinder 127with two-fold cutters.

With the arrangement of the cutter cylinder 127′ with four-fold cutters,and in spite of thicker products, a second cutter cylinder 127, withtwo-fold cutters on the circumference of the transport cylinder 123, canthen be dispensed with.

A great advantage can be achieved in a further development of thepresent invention, which is described below, of arrangements for theprinting machine 13, the superstructure 04 mounted on it, the formerfolder 11, the folder structure 12 and/or the drive configuration, withrespect of an arrangement of an additional printing press 152, with oneor more additional printing presses 151, in particular withthree-cylinder printing presses 151, and/or the advantageous routing ofwebs and or of printed products. In this context, see FIGS. 21 through25, whereby functionally identical reference numbers are partiallyentered only in FIG. 21.

The additional printing press 151 or printing machines areadvantageously corresponding to the printing units 02 as printing press151 for indirect flat-bed printing, for which a transfer cylinder 17 islocated between the printing position and the forme cylinder 16.

A print tower T1; T2; T3 is arranged with at least one additionalprinting unit 152 with at least a further printing position 151, i.e.with at least one printing position. In particular, at least twoprinting positions 151, 123 in one or in two additional printing presses151 are assigned to the print tower T1; T2; T3. These are arranged in acommon additional printing unit 152 or in separate additional printingunits 152. These additional printing positions are advantageouslypositioned above the printing positions of the print tower T1; T2; T3.The print tower T1; T2; T3 advantageously has a total of eight printingpositions, by the use of which, and depending on the web routing andexpression of the printing presses 02 forming the print tower T1; T2;T3, one or more webs B10; B20; B30; B40 can be printed on one side or onboth sides. The printing presses 02 of the print tower T1; T2; T3 arearranged vertically above one another and preferably should beimplemented as satellite printing presses 02, all as shown schematicallyin FIG. 21.

At least two satellite printing presses 02 are additionally assigned,and are depicted as two printing positions, for example as twothree-cylinder printing presses 151, by the use of which, for instancetwo webs B10; B20; B30; B40 that have been printed on only one side inthe print tower T1; T2; T3 can be printed with a single color on theother side.

The two satellite printing presses 02 are linked to each other and arecomponents of the print tower T1; T2; T3 and by the use of which, eithertwo webs B10; B20; B30; B40 can be printed each in multi-color on oneside or a single web B10; B20; B30; B40 can be printed in multi-color onboth sides.

The two satellite printing presses 02 are arranged stacked one above theother. They are advantageously both nine-cylinder satellite offsetprinting presses. This again is depicted schematically in FIGS. 21 to25.

A three-cylinder printing press 151 has a pair of cooperating cylinders,such as a forme cylinder 16 and a transfer cylinder 17 and also includesa counter-pressure cylinder 126 which operates in conjunction with themin an arrangement similar to the one shown in FIG. 2.

The two three-cylinder printing presses 151 can advantageously,considering the space requirement of units required be combined as asix-cylinder printing press 152, but can also be implemented as twoindividual units. It is also possible that only a single printingposition, in the form of, for instance a three-cylinder printing press151, can be provided, mounted above the print tower T1; T2; T3.

It is advantageous that the two three-cylinder printing presses 151, orthe one six-cylinder printing press 152, are positioned above one of thelast printing positions of the associated satellite printing presses 02.The six-cylinder printing press 152 is, for instance, arranged stackedabove the associated print tower T1; T2; T3. It can however, dependingon production requirements, be located stacked on another print towerT1; T2; T3, and in particular on an adjoining print tower, provided theweb run to the print tower T1; T2; T3 is suitable.

The satellite printing presses 02 and the two three-cylinder printingpresses 151 are arranged with respect of each other, and with webrouting permitting, so that there exist as options a first operatingmode where a web can run through both satellite printing presses 02, asecond operating mode where the web can run through one of the satelliteprinting presses 02 and through one of the three-cylinder printingpresses 151, and a third operating mode where the web can run onlythrough both of the two three-cylinder printing presses 151.

The satellite printing presses 02 and the two three-cylinder printingpresses 151 are also arranged with respect of each other, and with theweb routing permitting, so that there exist as options a first operatingmode where the first web can run through both satellite printing presses02 and a second web can run through both the two three-cylinder printingpresses 151, and a second operating mode where both webs can each runthrough one of the satellite printing presses 02 and through one of thethree-cylinder printing presses 151.

In this way, two webs can be fed through the print tower T1; T2; T3 andthe six-cylinder printing press 152, so that after printing, each webhas been printed with multi-colors on one side, and with a single-coloron the other side.

One of the two webs is, in this way, fed through the print tower T1; T2;T3, and the other web is fed only through the six-cylinder printingpress 152, so that one web has been printed multi-color on both sides,and the other web has either been printed single-color on both sides, ina so-called S-routing or in two-color on one side in a so-calledC-routing, which is not shown.

At least the printing machine has several print towers T1; T2; T3, eachwith two satellite printing presses 02 and, in addition, has at leastone six-cylinder printing press 152.

The printing presses have at least two, and in particular have at leastthree print towers T1; T2; T3 adjoining each other in pairs, whereby atleast one six-cylinder printing press 152 is stacked on one of the two,and in particular on one of the three print towers T1; T2; T3.Advantageously, there is no other processing stage positioned betweenthe respective print towers paired to each other in the way describedabove. In particular, no folding operation and/or folding machine is sopositioned. It is important, in this respect, that the further printingpress 151 is located above the printing press 13 of the printing unit02. Advantageously it is stacked on one of the print towers T1; T2; T3.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 21-25, the printing machine has atleast three print towers T1; T2; T3 adjoining each other in pairs, andwhereby at least one six-cylinder printing press 152 is stacked on oneof the three print towers T1; T2; T3. A common six-cylinder printingpress 152 is assigned to the three print towers T1; T2; T3, which commonsix-cylinder printing press 152 is advantageously stacked on the middleof the three print towers T1; T2; T3.

In this way for instance, three webs can run through at least two of theprint towers T1; T2; T3 and the six-cylinder printing press 152, sothat, after printing, two of the webs have been printed multi-color onone side, and in a single-color on the other side, and the third web isprinted multi-colour on both sides, as seen in FIGS. 23, 24; 25.

In an alternative web routing, two of the three webs are fed through atleast two of the print towers T1; T2; T3 and a third web is fed throughonly the six-cylinder printing press 152. The two first mentioned websare printed multi-color on both sides and the third web is printedsingle-color on both sides or two-color on one side, as shown in FIGS.21, 22.

The printing machine has advantageously the capability, by the use of adiverter roller 153 and/or by draw webs, not shown, to guide the websdepending on whatever operation mode is chosen for the printing machinein this production mode and in the production modes made possible by themeasures described above. FIG. 23 shows one possible example. Inparticular, diverter rollers 153 are provided, as shown for example inFIG. 23 for the web B20, which diverter rollers 153 permit routing of aweb B10; B20; B30; B40 to the additional printing press 151; when theweb has previously been printed in an adjoining satellite printing press02 rather than in the printing press directly underneath it.Advantageously, in the case of two of the webs B10; B20; B30; B40 beingrouted to the printing press 151, these can have been previously printedin both the satellite printing presses 02 of the same print tower T1;T2; T3, as shown in FIG. 23: left, FIG. 24: center, FIG. 25: right.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, four webs can befed, in this way, through the three print towers T1; T2; T3 and throughthe six-cylinder printing press 152, so that two of the webs, afterprinting are each printed multi-color on one side, and single-color onthe other side, and the other two webs are both printed multi-color onboth sides, as seen in FIG. 23 through FIG. 25. In a different webrouting, three of the webs are fed through the three print towers T1;T2; T3 and a fourth web is fed only through the six-cylinder printingpress 152. The first-named webs are printed multi-color on both sides,and the fourth web is printed single-color on both sides, as seen inFIG. 21, 22, or two-color on one side, which is not shown. The printingmachine has advantageously the capability 153, referred to above, toguide the webs depending on whatever operation mode is chosen for theprinting machine out of the two or three operating modes listed above.

In the foregoing discussion, multi-color is to be understood as meaningfour-color.

In one operating mode for the printing machine, the four webs with thethree print towers T1; T2; T3 and with the six-cylinder printing press152 are printed in such a way that both of the webs printed inmulti-color on one side and in single-color on the other side, afterprinting are routed on a path to a former folder structure TR or to aformer folder 11 so that they come to lie between the two webs that havebeen printed multi-colour on both sides, as seen in FIG. 24. The twowebs printed multi-color on one side and single-color on the other sidehave, in this case, been fed through, for instance, the center of thethree print towers T1; T2; T3 and the six-cylinder printing press 152.

In another operating mode, the four webs are printed by the three printtowers T1; T2; T3 and the six-cylinder printing press 152 in such as waythat the two webs printed multi-color on one side and single-color onthe other side, after printing are routed on a path to a former folderstructure TR underneath the two webs that have been printed multi-coloron both sides, as shown in FIG. 23. The two webs printed multi-color onone side and single-color on the other side have, in this case, been fedthrough, for instance, the one of the three print towers T1; T2; T3 thatis closest to the former folder structure TR, and through thesix-cylinder printing press 152.

In another operating mode, the four webs are printed by the three printtowers T1; T2; T3 and the six-cylinder printing press 152 in such as waythat the two webs printed multi-color on one side and single-color onthe other side, after printing are routed on a path to a former folderstructure TR above the two webs that have been printed multi-color onboth sides, as seen in FIG. 25. The two webs printed multi-color on oneside and single-color on the other side have, in this case, been fedthrough, for instance, the one of the three print towers T1; T2; T3 thatis furthest from the former folder structure TR, and through thesix-cylinder printing press 152.

In these cases, the printing machine is advantageously also equippedwith element 153 to guide the webs, depending on whatever operation modeis chosen for the printing machine, of the three last operation modeslisted above.

The satellite printing unit utilizes several, and in particular has fourpairs of cylinders each comprising a forme cylinder 16 and a transfercylinder 17, and at least one satellite cylinder 18 operating inconjunction with one of the transfer cylinders 17. Advantageously, allfour pairs of cylinders are each assigned a satellite cylinder 18 andare operating in conjunction. Another arrangement is to assign twosatellite cylinders 18 to the four pairs of cylinders.

In one arrangement, the drives for two of the pairs are linked and aredriven by a common drive motor 61 that is independent of the drive forthe other drive train. For example the satellite cylinder 18, or one ofthe two satellite cylinder 18 is driven by a common drive.

It is advantageous however that a single satellite cylinder 18 can bedriven at least by a drive motor 61 of its own, independent of the drivefor the cylinder pairs including a forme cylinder and a transfercylinder.

If there are two satellite cylinders 18, these should be driven at leastby a common drive motor 61 of their own, independent of the commondrives for the cylinder pairs.

In an advantageous arrangement, the cylinder pairs are each driven by atleast a drive motor of their own, independent of the drives for theother pairs. Each cylinder of the cylinder pair can also have its ownindividual drive motor.

In a less expensive arrangement, the two cylinders of each pair arecoupled and are driven by a common drive motor 61.

In another less expensive arrangement, the drive for an ink train 14 istaken from the drive for the respective forme cylinder 16. The ink traincan also be driven by a drive of its own, independent of the drive forthe form cylinder 16.

The additional printing press 151 exhibits a pair of cylinders, such asa forme cylinder 16 and transfer cylinder 17, and also a press cylinderor counter-pressure cylinder 18 that operates in conjunction with thetransfer cylinder 17. The same applies for a second printing press 151,where this second printing press is provided. The print unit 02 used forthis can be identified by the fact that it is the one for which theimplementation example also depicts an indirect flat-bed print processwith the corresponding functionality for its cylinders 16; 17; 18.

Correspondingly, the six-cylinder printing press 152 exhibits two pairsof cylinders each comprising a form cylinder 16 and a transfer cylinder17, with each such cylinder pair having a satellite cylinder 18operating in conjunction with it.

In the preferred arrangement of the present invention the pairs of theprinting press 151 or of the six-cylinder printing press 152 are eachprovided with a drive motor 61 of their own, and which is independent ofthe other pairs.

Each cylinder of a pair can be driven by a drive motor of its own. In anadvantageous arrangement, the two cylinders of each pair are coupled andare driven by a common drive motor 61, independent of the other cylinderpairs.

In a less expensive arrangement, the drive for the ink train 14 is takenfrom the drive for the respective forme cylinder 16. The ink train canalso be driven by a drive of its own, independent of the drive for theforme cylinder 16.

In an advantageous arrangement, each counter-pressure cylinder is drivenby a drive motor 61 of its own, independent of the drives for thecylinder pairs and independent of the drives of other counter-pressurecylinders. This is advantageous with respect to achieving independentpositioning of the two printing presses.

If necessary, the two counter-pressure cylinders can be driven by atleast one common drive motor 61, which is independent of the drive forthe pairs of cylinders.

In its simplest arrangement, the drive for the counter-pressure cylindercan be taken from the drive for the respective pair of cylinders.

In the preferred arrangement of the present invention, the pairedcylinders are driven, as a pair, by a shared common drive motor 61, andthe counter-pressure cylinder is driven individually by a separate drivemotor 61 of its own.

By use of the printing machine in accordance with the present invention,a printed product, or a web or continuous ribbon can be produced, sothat of four webs, after printing, two adjoining webs routed to a formerfolder intake can each be printed multi-color, and in particularfour-color, on one side, and single-color on the other side. The othertwo webs are printed multi-color, and in particular four-color, on bothsides:

For example, a printed product or a continuous ribbon of four webs,taken successively from bottom to top, can have the following colorformats: bottom web 1:4, or underside a single color, and upper sidefour colors, second web from bottom 4:1, third web from bottom 4:4 andfourth web 4:4.

For example, a printed product or a continuous ribbon of four webs,taken successively from bottom to top, can alternatively have thefollowing color formats: bottom web 4:4, or underside four colors, andupper side four colors, second web from bottom 1:4, third web frombottom 4:1 and fourth web 4:4.

For example, a printed product or a continuous ribbon of four webs,taken successively from bottom to top, can have the following colorformats: bottom web 4:4 underside four colors, upper side four colors,second web from bottom 1:4, third web from bottom 4:1 and fourth web4:4.

Furthermore, a printed product can be produced such that, of fouradjoining webs after printing on the web to the former folder, threewebs are printed multi-color on both side, particularly four-color, andthe fourth web is printed single color on both sides.

For example a printed product or a continuous ribbon of four webs, takensuccessively from bottom to top, can have the following colour formats:bottom web 4:4, or underside four colors, upper side four colors, secondweb from bottom 1:1, third web from bottom 4:4 and fourth web 4:4.

For example a printed product or a continuous ribbon of four webs, takensuccessively from bottom to top, can have the following colour formats:bottom web 4:4, or underside four colors, upper side four colors, secondweb from bottom 4:4, third web from bottom 1:1 and fourth web 4:4.

The arrangement described for the printing machine, and in particularwith the six-cylinder printing press 152, permits the variety ofproduction modes described above, without requiring the installation ofinflexible print units. The cylinders of the satellite print units 02and of the six-cylinder printing press 152 can always be driven in thesame rotational sense. This provides advantages with respect to the useof minigap technology, i.e. for the narrow opening 28, and with respectto effort required for setting up and for starting.

The printing machine in accordance with the present invention is, forinstance, implemented using printing presses that are six page widthswide, in particular in newspaper format. The circumference of at leastthe forme cylinder 16 corresponds, essentially to the length of twolengths of double printed pages, in particular in newspaper format.

For the cylinders of the three-cylinder printing press 151 theconditions and execution described above, with respect to the cylinder16; 17 should be used.

While referred embodiments of a printing press, and operating method forthe printing press, and resultant printed products, in accordance withthe present invention, have been described fully and completelyhereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that variouschanges in, for example, the type of web being printed, the specificstructure of the folders and formers and the like could be made withoutdeparting from the true spirit and scope of the present invention whichis accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.

1-79. (canceled)
 80. A printing press comprising: at least one firstprinting tower; at least a lower satellite printing unit and an uppersatellite printing unit stacked one above the other in said firstprinting tower, said upper satellite printing unit having upper printlocations; a further printing unit having two printing groups arrangedabove said stacked lower and upper satellite printing units at a levelabove said upper print locations of said upper satellite printing unit;and a plurality of cylinders in each of said lower and upper satelliteprinting units and said further printing unit, each of said cylindersbeing adapted to print six side-by-side axially arranged, verticallyextending printed pages in newspaper format.
 81. The printing press ofclaim 80 wherein each of said two printing groups is a three-cylinderprinting group.
 82. The printing press of claim 80 wherein said furtherprinting unit is a six-cylinder printing unit.
 83. The printing press ofclaim 80 wherein at least two webs are printed in said lower and uppersatellite printing units on a first side and are printed in said furtherprinting unit in one color on a second side.
 84. The printing press ofclaim 80 wherein said satellite printing units each have offset printinggroups.
 85. The printing press of claim 81 wherein said three-cylinderprinting groups are adapted for offset planographic printing.
 86. Theprinting press of claim 80 wherein said two printing groups aresix-cylinder printing units.
 87. The printing press of claim 80 whereinsaid further printing unit is stacked on said at least first printingtower.
 88. The printing press of claim 80 further including a secondprinting tower adjacent said first printing tower and wherein saidfurther printing unit is stacked on one of said first and secondprinting towers.
 89. The printing press of claim 80 wherein said lowerand upper satellite printing units are adapted to imprint selectivelytwo webs each multi-colored on one side and one web multi-colored onfirst and second sides.
 90. The printing press of claim 80 wherein eachof said satellite printing units is a nine-cylinder satellite printingunit.
 91. The printing press of claim 81 wherein in one mode ofoperation said satellite printing units and said further printing unitare adapted to conduct a web through one of said lower and uppersatellite printing units and through one of said three-cylinder printinggroups.
 92. The printing press of claim 81 wherein said satelliteprinting units and said further printing unit are adapted for selectiveoperation in a first mode wherein a web is conducted through both ofsaid lower and upper satellite printing units, in a second mode whereina web is conducted through said one of said satellite printing units andone of said three-cylinder printing groups and in a third mode wherein aweb is conducted only through each of said two three-cylinder printinggroups.
 93. The printing press of claim 80 wherein said satelliteprinting units and said further printing unit are adapted to conduct aweb through one of said satellite printing units and one of saidprinting groups.
 94. The printing press of claim 81 wherein saidsatellite printing units and said two printing groups are operableselectively in a first mode wherein a first web is conducted throughsaid satellite printing units and a second web is conducted through saidtwo three-cylinder groups, and a second mode wherein each of two webs isconducted selectively through one of said satellite printing units andone of said printing groups.
 95. The printing press of claim 80 whereinfirst and second webs are conducted through said printing tower and saidtwo printing groups for being printed multi-colored on a first web sideand single-colored on a second web side.
 96. The printing press of claim80 wherein a first web is conducted through said printing tower and asecond web is conducted through said two printing groups wherein saidfirst web is imprinted multi-colored on first and second sides and saidsecond web is imprinted single-colored on first and second sides. 97.The printing press of claim 80 wherein a first web is conducted throughsaid satellite printing units and is imprinted multi-colored on firstand second sides and a second web is conducted through said two printinggroups and is imprinted in two colors on one side.
 98. The printingpress of claim 88 wherein said second printing tower has two satelliteprinting units.
 99. The printing press of claim 80 wherein each of saidsatellite printing units is driven by at least one drive motorindependently.
 100. The printing press of claim 88 further including athird printing tower adjacent said first and second printing towers,said further printing unit being stacked on one of said first, secondand third printing towers.
 101. The printing press of claim 100 whereinsaid further printing unit is stacked on a center one of said adjacentfirst, second and third printing towers.
 102. The printing press ofclaim 98 wherein first, second and third webs are conducted through saidfirst and second printing towers and said further printing unit wherebysaid first and second webs are each imprinted multi-colored on a firstside and one-colored on a second side and said third web is imprintedmulti-colored on first and second sides.
 103. The printing press ofclaim 98 wherein first and second webs are conducted through said firstand second printing towers and a third web is conducted only throughsaid further printing unit whereby said first and second webs areimprinted multi-colored on first and second sides and said third web isimprinted single-colored on first and second sides.
 104. The printingpress of claim 100 wherein four webs are conducted through said first,second and third printing towers and said further printing unit wherebytwo of said four webs are imprinted multi-colored on a first side andsingle-colored on a second side and the other two of said four webs areimprinted multi-colored on both first and second sides.
 105. Theprinting press of claim 100 further including means for conducting websselectively from said first, second and third printing towers to saidfurther printing unit.
 106. The printing press of claim 80 wherein saidsatellite printing units are four color satellite printing units. 107.The printing press of claim 104 further including a former structureafter, in a direction of web travel, said printing press and whereinsaid other two webs are positioned between said two webs while travelingto said former.
 108. The printing press of claim 104 wherein said othertwo webs pass through a center one of said first, second, and thirdprinting towers and said further printing unit.
 109. The printing pressof claim 104 wherein said other two webs are arranged underneath saidtwo of said four webs after passing through said printing press. 110.The printing press of claim 107 wherein said other two webs pass throughone of said first, second and third printing towers located closest tosaid former.
 111. The printing press of claim 107 wherein said other twoof said four webs are positioned above said two of said four webs whilebeing directed to said former.
 112. The printing press of claim 107wherein said other two of said four webs pass through one of said first,second and third printing towers located remote from said former. 113.The printing press of claim 107 further including means for directingwebs from said first, second and third printing towers and said furtherprinting unit to said former in selected order.
 114. The printing pressof claim 80 wherein at least one of said lower and upper satelliteprinting units includes several pairs of cooperating forme and transfercylinders and at least one satellite cylinder adapted to cooperate withat least one of said transfer cylinders.
 115. The printing press ofclaim 114 wherein there are four of said pairs of cooperating forme andtransfer cylinders and one satellite cylinder.
 116. The printing pressof claim 114 further including a second transfer cylinder and four ofsaid pairs of cooperating forme and transfer cylinders and with saidtransfer cylinders of two pairs assigned to said one satellite cylinderand with said transfer cylinders of the other two of said four pairsassigned to said second transfer cylinder.
 117. The printing press ofclaim 114 wherein each two of said four pairs of cooperating cylindersare driven for rotation by a compound drive mechanism independently.118. The printing unit of claim 117 wherein said at least one satellitecylinder is driven by said compound drive mechanism.
 119. The printingpress of claim 114 wherein said at least one satellite cylinder has anindependent drive motor.
 120. The printing press of claim 116 whereinsaid first and second satellite cylinders have a common independentdrive motor.
 121. The printing press of claim 114 where said of saidseveral pairs of cooperating forme and transfer cylinders has anindependent drive motor.
 122. The printing press of claim 114 whereineach said forme cylinder and each said transfer cylinder in each saidpair has a drive motor.
 123. The printing press of claim 114 whereineach of said pairs of cylinders is coupled and is driven by a commondrive motor.
 124. The printing press of claim 114 further including aninking unit associated with each said forme cylinder and driven by saidassociated forme cylinder.
 125. The printing press of claim 114 furtherincluding an inking unit associated with each said forme cylinder anddriven independently of each said forme cylinder.
 126. The printingpress of claim 80 wherein said further printing unit includes at least afirst cylinder pair consisting of a forme cylinder and a transfercylinder and further includes a counter-pressure cylinder actingtogether with said transfer cylinder.
 127. The printing press of claim126 further including a second cylinder pair consisting of a formecylinder and a transfer cylinder and further including acounter-pressure cyliner acting together with said transfer cylinder ofsaid second cylinder pair.
 128. The printing press of claim 127 whereineach said second cylinder pair has an independent second cylinder pairdrive motor.
 129. The printing press of claim 127 wherein said cylinderin said second cylinder pair has its own drive motor.
 130. The printingpress of claim 127 wherein each said second cylinder pair has a commondrive motor.
 131. The printing press of claim 127 further including oneinking unit driven from a location of said forme cylinder of said secondcylinder pair.
 132. The printing pair of claim 127 further including aninking unit cooperating with each said first and second cylinder pairforme cylinders, each said inking unit being its own independent drivemotor.
 133. The printing press of claim 127 further including anindependnet counter-pressure cylinder drive motor for each saidcounter-pressure cyliner.
 134. The printing press of claim 127 whereinsaid two counter-pressure cylinders are driven by at least one commondrive motor independently of said first and second cylinder pairs. 135.The printing press of claim 127 wherein said second counter-pressurecylinder is driven from a location of said associated one of said firstand and second cylinder pairs.
 136. The printing press of claim 128further including a counter-pressure drive motor for each saidcounter-pressure cylinder.
 137. A printed product printed in a printingpress having three printing towers and a former including an inlet andincluding four webs situated adjacent said other, a first two of saidfour webs located adjoining each other being printed multi-colored on afirst side and in a single color on a second side, the other two of saidfour webs each being imprinted in multi-colors on first and secondsides.
 138. The printed product of claim 137 wherein said first two ofsaid four webs are located beneath said second two of said four webs.139. The printed product of claim 137 wherein said first two of saidfour webs are between said second two of said four webs.
 140. A printedproduct of a printing press having four webs which adjoin each other andwhich have been printed in three printing towers and which are directedto a former inlet, a first three of said four webs each being printed onfirst and second sides in multiple colors, said fourth one of said fourwebs being printed on first and second sides in one color.
 141. Theprinted product of claim 140 wherein said fourth one of said four websis second from the bottom.
 142. The printed product of claim 140 whereinsaid fourth one of said four webs is second from the top.
 143. Theprinting press of claim 80 wherein each of said printing units includesa forme cylinder having a circumferential length corresponding to thelength of two printed pages in newspaper format.
 144. The printing pressof claim 80 wherein each of said printing units includes a formecylinder having six plates assigned side-by-side in said axial directionof each said forme cylinder.
 145. The printing press of claim 80 furtherincluding a folding apparatus having a transport cylinder, saidtransport cylinder having a circumferential surface with a lengthsufficient to receive at least seven lengths of said printed paperarranged one behind another in a circumferential direction of saidtransfer cylinder
 146. The printing press of claim 80 further includinga folding apparatus including cylinders driven by at least oneindependent drive motor.
 147. The printing press of claim 146 whereinfolding apparatus includes a transport cylinder having a circumferentialsurface with a length sufficient to receive at least seven lengths ofsaid printed pages arranged one behind another in a circumferentialdirection of said transfer cylinder.
 148. The printing press of claim145 further including three formers arranged side-by-side and adapted todrive three continuous webs to said transport cylinder.
 149. Theprinting press of claim 145 further including seven circumferentiallyspaced retaining devices on said transfer cylinder.
 150. The printingpress of claim 145 further including first and second individuallydriven traction roller pairs at an inlet to said folding apparatus. 151.The printing press of claim 145 wherein said folding apparatus includesfirst and second cutting cylinders adapted to operate with saidtransport cylinder.
 152. The printing press of claim 145 wherein each ofsaid satellite printing units, said further printing unit and saidfolding apparatus are rotationally driven, independently of each other,by drive motors.
 153. The printing press of claim 80 wherein each ofsaid satellite printing units and said further printing unit each haveat least one forme cylinder having printing plate end receiving, axiallyextending slits arranged side-by-side in an axial direction of each saidforme cylinder.
 154. The printing press of claim 153 wherein saidplurality of plate end receiving slits are aligned and form acontinuous, axially extending slit.
 155. The printing press of claim 153wherein said slits are alternatingly arranged offset by 180° from eachother.
 156. The printing press of claim 80 wherein each of saidsatellite printing units and said further printing unit includes atransfer cylinder having blanket end receiving, axially extending slitsarranged side-by-side on said transfer cylinder.
 157. The printing pressof claim 80 wherein each of said satellite printing units and saidfurther printing unit includes a transfer cylinder having transfercylinder dressings on their surfaces, said transfer cylinder dressingseach including a support plate adjacent said transfer cylinder surfaceand a compressible layer on said support plate.
 158. The printing plateof claim 80 wherein said two printing groups each include a formecylinder and a transfer cylinder driven by their own drive motors.